Allergy

Allergy is the immune system overreacting to something usually harmless — pollen, dust mites, mould, cockroaches, pet dander, certain foods, insect stings, drugs, latex. It causes rhinitis, asthma, eczema, hives, and (rarely) anaphylaxis. Allergic conditions are increasing rapidly in urban India, in parallel with pollution and changing lifestyles.

Common allergy-driven conditions

• Allergic rhinitis ("hay fever") — sneezing, runny/blocked nose, itchy eyes. See Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis.
• Asthma — many cases are allergic; see Asthma.
• Atopic eczema — see Eczema.
• Urticaria (hives) and angioedema — see Hives.
• Food allergy — see Food Allergy.
• Drug allergy — see Drug Reactions.
• Insect-sting allergy — especially bees and wasps.
• Anaphylaxis — sudden, severe, whole-body allergic reaction.

Common allergens in India

• House-dust mite — grows in mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture.
• Cockroach allergens — a major urban Indian trigger.
• Pollen — seasonal: Parthenium ("gajar ghas"/congress grass), grass pollens, tree pollens vary by region and season.
• Fungal spores — especially during and after monsoon.
• Pet dander, pollution particles, wood-smoke.

Red flags — emergency (dial 112)

• Swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat after food, drug, or insect sting.
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing, hoarseness.
• Dizziness, collapse.
• Widespread hives with vomiting or abdominal pain.
• If available, use an adrenaline auto-injector and go to hospital.

Management

• Identify the trigger — history + allergy skin-prick or specific IgE blood tests at an allergist.
• Environmental control — dust-mite-proof mattress covers, weekly hot-washing bed linen, vacuum cleaning, reducing soft furnishings, cockroach control, washing pets, keeping windows shut at pollen peak.
• Medicines — second-generation antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, inhalers for asthma, leukotriene antagonists.
• Immunotherapy ("allergy shots" or sublingual tablets) can reduce sensitivity long-term — considered for moderate/severe allergic rhinitis and asthma.
• Adrenaline auto-injector for anyone with previous anaphylaxis — carry it, know how to use it, teach family.

Avoid

• Unregulated "allergy cures" — many Indian sellers promise permanent cures with steroid-laced powders.
• Self-starting oral steroids long-term.
• Ignoring worsening asthma as "just allergies".