Leading Allergists discuss solutions to alleviate the Allergy burden in India

Photo Caption: 49th National Conference of Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology,‘ICAAICON-2015’ Suvaneer  releasing, left to right:  Dr. Nagedra prasad,south zone chairman Icaai,Dr. K B  Gupta  national president  Icaai,Chief guest Dr. Martin Chapman,Icaai national secretary Dr. A B Singh,Organizing secretary Dr. Major Nagaraju,Organizing co- chair person Dr. Chithra,

Leading Allergists discuss solutions to alleviate the Allergy burden in India

Chennai: Saveetha Medical College and Hospital,Saveetha University,organized ‘ICAAICON-2015’-a four day, 49th National Conference of Indian College of Allergy, Asthma & Applied Immunology at Saveetha University's, Thandalam campus.The conference was inaugurated by Dr.Martin Chapman.

The conference attracted about 300 national and international Allergy experts under one roof for discussion on prevalence, trends and latest advances in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.ICAAI National President K B Gupta presided over the fuction.ICAAI National Secretary A B Singh read the report.Organising co- Chairman Dr.Chithrawelcomed the gathering andOrganizing Secretary Dr.Major.Nagaraju proposed a vote of thanks.

Stating the increase of Allergies in Chennai, Prof. Major. Dr. K. Nagaraju, Organising Secretary said,

About 20-30% of India’s population suffers from at least one of the allergic diseases.“In the past years,

there has been an ~15-20% increase of allergy incidence in Chennai. House dust mites (~50%) is the leading allergen in Chennai followed by pollen (23%), insect (16%) and food (1-5%) allergens. Allergic rhinitis is prevalent in about 42% of people between 20 –40 years. Prevalence of coexisting allergic rhinitis & asthma is highest amongst children & young adults (5- 20 years) at 45% prevalence.”

Commenting on the allergy trend in India, Dr. A B Singh, Emeritus Scientist(Ex ) , Institute of Genomics

and Integrative Biology,  Delhi and  Secretary of Indian College of Allergy ,Asthma and Applied Immunology ,said “Top allergies observed in India are that of respiratory, skin, food and dust mites. 80% of allergy cases in India are hereditary. Dr. A B Singh also spoke of his observation on  pollen allergy trend - “Pollen allergens from trees, grasses,  flowers and weeds cause respiratory allergies in 20% of the India’s allergic population. The trend increases at the onset of spring and autumn.”  Dr Singh has identified important pollen allergens of the country as a result of more than 30years of experience in research. Allergies are an over-reaction of the immune system in the form of antibodies to exposed proteins which are not necessarily harmful. These antibodies cause an allergic reaction which cause symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin. Some symptoms include incessant sneezing, runny nose (rhinitis), difficulty breathing, hives and dermatitis. Allergies if undiagnosed or ill-managed may culminate to persistent allergic rhinitis and severe asthma.