Spring is almost here and the pollen counts of the air will start to rise very soon and stay high till the end of April. This is on account of the large amount of greenery in the capital city. People who are allergic to pollen will start to develop cough like symptoms, an excess of phlegm and itchy eyes.
Serious allergic reactions can damage a person’s health. The pollen allergy in Islamabad is caused by a plant named Broussontia papyrifera or Paper Mulberry which were originally planted along roads to make the city greener.
The most effective treatment for pollen allergies are seasonal immunisation. However, these have gained a bad reputation in Islamabad because they are not carried out properly and are hence ineffective. The government should train a small task force of health care professionals who have good quality vaccines and are able to carry out immunisations properly. Also, the CDA could cut down some of the Paper Mulberry trees and trees whose pollen does not trigger an allergic reaction should be planted instead.
In the meantime, everyone can take personal measures to guard against the allergic symptoms. Surgical masks should be worn at all times when out of doors, especially when near any greenery, to minimise exposure to pollen. Also, for minor allergic reactions, anti-histamines can be taken orally or in the form of an inhaler. If one can completely avoid going outside especially during the daytime then this is the best option.
SHANDANA SAJJAD
Rawalpindi
