Saturday, February 8, 2025

Allergy and asthma cases among children and teens on rise: Docs

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The prevalence of allergies and asthma among children and teenagers has been on the rise in recent years due to changing urban lifestyles, warn doctors.

Pediatricians cite several factors that are often overlooked but can trigger these conditions, such as growing pollution, living in closed houses with less outdoor time and the presence of dust mites in soft furnishings like carpets and fur toys.

Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, a city-based Pediatrician, said, “Allergies and asthma have taken a huge leap. It is usually caused by growing pollution and other lifestyle factors like living in closed houses, less outdoor time and mostly these fur toys, carpets and furniture that become a home for dust mite. They are a common Allergen, small insects, invisible to the naked eye and they feed on dead skin. Since there is not enough exposure to sunlight, these are thriving. Mosquito repellents, eucalyptus oils, scented candles, and excessive use of sanitisers can also act as allergens, while air-conditioners that aren’t serviced can spread fungus in the room.”

Dr Sivaranjani further advised that mosquito repellents should be turned off when someone enters the room.

Meanwhile, Dr Suryaprakash Hedda, a consultant neonatologist and pediatrician, said that allergies and asthma are usually triggered by multiple factors, including smoke, pollen, and rapidly changing weather. He also urged parents to pay attention to their children’s diet, fruit intake, and weight, and to watch for warning signs of asthma.

“There is a 30-35 per cent increase in allergies lately. Every seven in 100 kids have asthma issues. Parents should ensure that their child takes appropriate intake of food, consume fruit, and maintain correct weight. They must also look out for warning signs and get the correct diagnosis,” he said.

As cases of allergies and asthma continue to increase, pediatricians have been prescribing Montelukast and Levocetirizine more frequently to treat these conditions in children. However, there is growing concern about the mental side effects of Montelukast, including depression and suicidal thoughts.

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