Pollen

Pollen is one of the most common allergens you might face outdoors. Breathing in pollen may cause allergic reactions1 like sneezing, runny nose, and swollen and itchy eyes.

These tiny particles are released into the air by plants during their pollination or flowering period2. They may trigger allergy symptoms, especially in urban areas, due to higher temperatures and traffic pollution compared to the countryside.

You may experience different levels of pollen in the atmosphere depending on where you are, or what the season is. Do you need to be ready for pollen when you step outside today? Check out today's pollen forecast here.

Here are five other things you may not have known about pollen allergies in the Philippines

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Air pollution

Another airborne allergen you're likely to face is air pollution. Air pollution is primarily made up of the particulates produced by burning gasoline, diesel, and coal by cars, factories, and other activities3, 4. Chemicals like ozone and nitrogen dioxide also help make up air pollution4.

Studies have found that exposure to air pollution may result in higher incidences of allergies and other respiratory problems in a population4, 5. Breathing in both air pollution and other airborne allergens may also make already existing allergic and other respiratory symptoms more severe4, 5.

While it is advisable to avoid high- pollen or high-air pollution areas to help manage your allergic reactions, this is often unlikely for people who live and work in urban areas. Because of this, it is important to keep allergy medications, such as Loratadine (Claritin®) in easy reach. Loratadine (Claritin®) works in as fast as 15 minutes6 is non-drowsy vs. first-generation antihistamines7 and cetirizine, and lasts up to 24 hours8.

IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.
 

Learn more about how the seasons affect your allergies here:

Allergy

Getting Shortness of Breath Outdoors? It Might Be Seasonal Allergies

Allergy

How Does Weather Affect Your Allergies?

Travelling locally or abroad? Here's why you should remember to pack your allergy meds:

Family

Allergies While Traveling: Tips to Have a Great Vacation Even with Allergies

Common Causes of Allergies - Mobile

Common Causes of Allergies

Common Causes of Allergies

There are over 200 airborne allergens that can be found in or outdoors. Learn what you can do about them.

ASC REF CODE: B0257P061623C

REFERENCES

  1. Allergic reactions. American Academy of Allergy , Asthma & Immunology. Retrieved on March 28, 2023 from https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/allergic-reactions

  2. Sabit, M., Wong, C., Andaya, A. et al. Pollen allergen skin test and specific IgE reactivity among Filipinos: a community-based study. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 16, 74 (2020). Retrieved on March 28, 2023 from https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-020-00471-9

  3. Pollen allergen skin test and specific IgE reactivity among Filipinos: a community-based study, https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/ 10.1186/s13223-020-00471-9#:~: text=In%20the%20Philippines%2C%20the%20reported, at%2046.6%25%20%5B5%5D Accessed March 30, 2023

  4. Pollen Allergy, https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pollen-allergy/
    Accessed March 30, 2023

  5. Allergy Advice - Pollens, https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/100628allergypollens.pdf
    Accessed March 30, 2023

  6. Seasonal distribution of airborne pollen in Manila,Attitudes, practices on allergic rhinitis of three socioeconomic classes of Filipinos in the National Capital Region,

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27141482/ Accessed March 30, 2023

  1. Gonzales-Diaz S., et. al., "Impact of air pollution in respiratory allergic diseases". Medicina Universitaria. 2016; 18(73): 212-215. Retrieved on March 31, 2023 from
    https://www.elsevier.es/en-revista-medicina-universitaria-304-articulo-impact-air-pollution-in-respiratory-S166557961730011X

  2. Takizawa, H., "Impact of Air Pollution on Allergic Diseases." Korean J Intern Med. 2011 Sep; 26(3): 262–273. Retrieved on March 31, 2023 from
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3192198/

  3. Li, C., et al., "Air Pollution and Allergic Rhinitis: Role in Symptom Exacerbation and Strategies for Management". J Asthma Allergy. 2020; 13: 285–292. Retrieved on March 31, 2023 from
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7457822/

  4. Sur, Denise K C, and Monica L Plesa. “Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.” American family physician vol. 92,11 (2015): 985-92.

  5. Kawauchi, H.; Yanai, K.; Wang, D.-Y.; Itahashi, K.; Okubo, K. Antihistamines for Allergic Rhinitis Treatment from the Viewpoint of Nonsedative Properties. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 213. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20010213

  6. Haria, Malini, et al. “Loratadine.” Drugs, vol. 48, no. 4, 1994, pp. 617–637., https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-199448040-00009.

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