ALLERGY SEASON In: Wh‘achoo’ need to know about spores

SPRING has sprung and so has the intensity of allergies. If you are wheezing and sneezing and trying to cope itchy and runny eyes and nose, there is a reason.

The sudden flare-up of nasal allergies in Durban is likely due to the high levels of mould and fungal spores, which are being intensified by grass pollen this spring season according to Prof Jonny Peter, Head of the UCT Lung Institute’s Allergy Unit.

The institute is responsible for monitoring pollen throughout South Africa and, for the first time in more than 20 years, thanks to funding provided by Clicks.

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Twinsaver, Thermo Fischer and A Vogel Echinaforce, they are able to warn Durban residents of the type of airborne allergens n circulation and how they can better manage their symptoms.

“Durban is situated in a subtropical climate zone with high relative humidity and warm average temperatures, which is conducive to mould growth,” said Prof Peter,

“In fact, of the seven South African cities currently being monitored for airborne allergens, Durban mould levels are the highest.

High levels of Alternaria, Cladosporium and Epicoccum fungal spores have also been found in the atmosphere of the city, exacerbating symptoms for the estimated 3.3 million hay fever sufferers living in the area.”

Symptoms

Common symptoms include a runny, itchy or congested nose, post-nasal drip, sore throat, itchy and/or watery eyes, which can last for months.

He points out that asthma is already a big problem in Durban – partly due to high levels of pollution and humidity, but when the allergenic load is augmented by pollen, mould or fungal spores that are breathed in, it substantially increases the risk for sufferers.

“An asthmatic’s lungs are more sensitive to extreme temperatures. Pollution irritates the airways, while humid, moist air is heavy and difficult to inhale. Extreme heat, just like cold air, can aggravate asthma symptoms. When you add a pollen or mould allergy to the mix, it further restricts breathing, which could trigger asthma attacks.”

Durban, which has a similar climate to Australia’s south-east coast could also become vulnerable to a phenomenon, called “thunderstorm asthma”.

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It’s a weather phenomenon that occurs on a hot day/night when there is a lot of moisture present before a cold front and strong winds sweep up vast amounts of pollen into the sky, which is then sent pouring down, causing major respiratory distress.

Three years ago, Melbourne was hit by such a storm, which led to several asthma deaths and thousands of ER admissions in one 24-hour period during the height of the pollen season.

It’s incidences such as this and skyrocketing pollen counts that have been recorded in the northern hemisphere that has fuelled a renewed interest in monitoring airborne allergies worldwide.

Pollen levels increase

Based on current models, experts predict that pollen levels will quadruple in the next 20 to 30 years, making life unbearable for those with pollen sensitivities. People who don’t normally suffer from hay fever may likely start to and asthma attacks may also increase.

The threat of other allergic plants, such as ragweed (typically found in Europe) migrating southward, as a result of climate change, could also increase pollen production in the region.

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“It’s our intention to keep the allergen spore trap that was erected in Westville a few weeks ago running over the long-term, but we need the public’s help.

If we have more data available to us, we will be able to predict the impact that certain weather conditions will have on the public’s health and we’ll know which allergens are in circulation when.

“Monitoring airborne allergens on a more sustainable basis will help us to better understand the impact of global warming on pollen and mould proliferation in South Africa. Without this data it becomes difficult to develop effective treatments for local conditions,” Prof Peter said.

The public can donate towards pollen monitoring by visiting www.pollencount.co.za Up-to-date pollen counts for the Durban region can also be accessed here.

BOX: How the Burkard spore trap works

Prof Johnny Peter explainshow the Burkard spore trap works and how and who monitors it?

The Burkard spore trap is one of the most commonly used instruments to measure weekly pollen and fungal spores in cities across the world.

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The trap was installed in Durban at the start of the spring season. Knowing the pollen/fungal spore count will help allergy sufferers to better manage their symptoms.

Air is sucked into the spore trap at a set rate. The air moves over a slowly rotating drum coated with a sticky cellulose tape and bioaerosols – pollen grains and moulds are trapped on this tape which is removed weekly and sectioned. The sections are then viewed and analysed by an expert via a microscope.

Allergologist comments

The Highway Mail asked Dr Ahmed Manjra, an allergologist at Life Westville Hospital, about how affected people can treat their allergies triggered by pollen and mould spores.

Q: Do you agree that allergens seem to be on the increase? A: Yes, agree

Q: Is the Burkard spore trap valuable and does it monitor aero-allergens well?

A: It is the most effective way to trap mould and pollen spores. It can cover a very long distance and therefore can do surveys covering a large area.

Q: Who checks it or how do you get information from the trap?

A: It has a motor that rotates. This allows the pollen and mould spores to be sucked onto a film. We then attached the film on a slide. This is done weekly. We than

send the slide to the experts to do the counts. We check this weekly. It is based in Durban on the roof of Westville Hospital.

Q: How do you advise people affected to treat their allergic reactions?

A: The first is avoidance of the allergens. This is sometimes not possible. There are extremely effective treatments available to treat allergic diseases.

Q: And, what should asthmatics do extra to look after themselves?

A: They must take their medications regularly, avoid proven allergens, do exercise, must not smoke and live a healthy lifestyle

Q: Are you seeing more patients with allergies than usual for this time of year?

A: Yes, many more.

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