Allergy and Allergic Diseases in Thrissur .

Explained by Dr Kurian Thomas

At this Clinic we see almost all Allergy and Allergic Diseases in Thrissur and Kerala, which mainly affects the Lung and its airways . This is mainly allergic Rhinitis and Asthma .

Allergies are an abnormal response of the our body defense system ( also called immune system.). It is an acquired ability ; often hidden , for developing adverse reactions that are immunologically mediated to the substances that are mostly harmless to us. This substance (pollen, mould, animal dander for example)is called an allergen.

Atopy is the inheritance tendency to develop allergies.

Atopy increases your risk of developing allergic diseases, especially after allergen exposure.

The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis – two major forms of allergies – was one and 10 percent respectively in 1964 in the country. But, new data as per WAO (World Allergy Organization) shows that about 14 per cent people now have asthma, while over 20 per cent are suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) which results from an IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Currently, about 20 to 30 per cent of people in India are having one or more allergic diseases and their prevalence is rising dramatically, the WAO said.

What are the types of Allergies?

Allergy related diseases can be classified based on the target organ involvement. Some common types are mentioned below.

Nose – Allergic rhinitis

Here on allergen exposure especially by inhalation through the nose patient develops symptoms. Major symptoms start within a few minutes itself. This include sneezing, itching of the nose and running nose or block of air passage in the nose. Many patients alos develop symptoms around the nose. So there is itching of face and neck and ears. There might be itching og throat. Watering of eye can also occur.

Lungs -Asthma

Here the patient develops either cough or wheeze or breathlessness. It may be mils or very severe depending on the severity of allergen exposure as well as the patients basic asthma severity.

Skin -Allergic Dermatitis

Eye -Allergic Conjunctivitis

Systemic( Whole body affected -Anaphylaxis and Uricaria

Gut -Food allergy

Ear –Allergic otitis media