Seasonal allergies on the rise in Telangana, doctors advise precautions

HYDERABAD: While the monsoon season has been an ambush for vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, respiratory ailments and seasonal allergies crop up with the onset of winter.

The transition from the monsoon season to the winter season, as the temperatures drop, usually triggers seasonal allergies, in addition to viral fever which is now becoming a perennial disease.

People with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as those vulnerable to cold weather and pollen allergies need to be extra cautious as the winter season sets in, doctors said. .

Common symptoms of seasonal allergies are rashes, nasal congestion, runny or stuffy nose, red and itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy ears and throat.

Dr J Anish Anand, Consultant, Internal Medicine at a leading private hospital, speaking to TNIE, said, “There has been a significant drop in the number of chikungunya and dengue cases in the last three weeks. However, we are seeing an increase in cases of allergies triggered by dust and pollen.”

He added: “Rashes, nasal congestion are the common symptoms that patients present with. We also have patients with complaints of fever, chills and prolonged body pain, which is also called viral syndrome. What’s more concerning is that the epidemiology of the virus has changed, and this year we’ve seen patients presenting with symptoms unique to viral fever.”

Doctors pointed out that there has been an upward trend in allergies in the past few years, which could be attributed to factors such as climate change, rising pollution levels, unhygienic surroundings and overcrowding.

Dr M Rajeev, consultant pulmonologist and member of the Telangana Medical Council, said allergy cases have increased in recent weeks and those with chronic respiratory diseases are among the high-risk groups.