Johannesburg, 8 July 24: World Allergy Day takes place on 8 July and was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Allergy Organization (WAO) to raise awareness about the importance of treating and preventing allergies.¹ This year, global pharmaceutical company, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, is focused on raising awareness about allergic rhinitis (AR) in particular, also known as hay fever, and its impact on the quality of life of millions of people worldwide.²

What is allergic rhinitis?

Common allergens include foods such as shrimp, soybeans, crab, clams, wheat, peanuts, egg yolk, and cow's milk. Pet allergens come from cat and dog dander. House dust mites (HDMs) are another common source of allergens.³

The symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes.⁴ Other symptoms can include an itchy roof of the mouth, coughing and postnasal drip.³ These symptoms can be particularly severe in the morning, leading to substantial disruptions in daily life.⁴

AR has become much more common since the 1990s.⁵ It affects about 25 % of children and 40 % of adults around the world.³ Notably, the number of 13- to 14-year-olds in South Africa with AR increased from 30.4% in 1995 to 38.5% in 2002.⁵ Most people start to have symptoms before they turn 20, with the worst symptoms occurring between ages 20 and 40, and then gradually improving thereafter.³

Global urbanisation has led to an increase in AR cases and studies have found that AR is more common in urban areas compared to rural areas, mainly due to higher levels of pollutants. Climate change also plays a role by extending the pollen season, leading to more frequent seasonal allergies.³

The impact of AR on quality of life

Nasal congestion affects working adults’ job performance, and it has a negative impact on children's schoolwork.⁴ In addition, it may lead to disturbed sleep, exhaustion, frustration and irritability.⁴ Poor sleep quality caused by hay fever can result in chronic tiredness, daytime sleepiness, and learning problems in children​​,^4,5 and make it difficult to participate in outdoor activities like sport.⁴ Hay fever can also aggravate mood disorders like depression and decrease concentration​​.⁵

Diagnosis and treatment of AR
Effective treatment of hay fever, along with counselling on the correct use of medication, can improve your quality of life.⁶

Don’t let allergies bring you down. Speak to your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information on Glenmark’s 2-in-1 nasal spray to help manage allergic rhinitis effectively. Look out for Rymoji in Pharmacies, your best friend in allergy relief.

For more information on AR, scan the QR code.

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References:

1. Cosme J. Lisbon School of Medicine. World Allergy Day, July 8th, 2021 [Online]. Available at: https://www.medicina.ulisboa.pt/en/world-allergy-day. Last accessed July 2024.
   
   
2. Alnahas S, Abouammoh N,  Althagafi W, et al. Prevalence, severity, and risk factors of allergic rhinitis among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia: A national cross-sectional study, 2019. World Allergy Organization Journal 2023;16:100824. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.waojou.2023.100824.
   
   
3. Nur Husna SM, Tan HT, Md Shukri N, et al. Allergic Rhinitis: A Clinical and Pathophysiological Overview. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Apr 7;9:874114. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.874114. PMID: 35463011; PMCID: PMC9021509.
   
   
4. Canonica GW, Mullol J, Pradalier A, et al. Patient perceptions of allergic rhinitis and quality of life: findings from a survey conducted in europe and the United States. World Allergy Organ J. 2008 Sep;1(9):138-44. doi: 10.1097/WOX.0b013e3181865faf. PMID: 23282577; PMCID: PMC3650970.
   
   
5. Richards GA, McDonald M, Gray CL, et al. Allergic rhinitis: Review of the diagnosis and management: South African Allergic Rhinitis Working Group. S Afr Fam Pract. 2023;65(1):a5806. https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v65i1.5806.
   
   
6. Ramdhani D, Daniller T, Seedat RY. Quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis at a South African referral hospital: a prospective cross-sectional study. Pan African Medical Journal. 2021;40(193). 10.11604/pamj.2021.40.193.28714.

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