Health
SEVEN TIPS TO BEAT ALLERGIES
IN RAMADAN AND SUMMER
W
ith sandstorms, pollen
and airborne allergens
such
as
tobacco,
cooking smoke, unclean
air is a reality in the UAE, Blueair’s
General Manager for Middle East &
Africa, TR Ganesh offers some tips on
how to combat seasonal respiratory
complaints.
Sick days at school and work have been
common in recent weeks as inclement
weather batters the UAE and residents
deal with a sudden onset of allergies
and asthma attacks. With sandstorms
affecting large parts of the country and
forecasters expecting the bad weather
to continue, the situation could
remain difficult for those susceptible
to atmospheric triggers. Retreating
indoors won’t help much – indoor air
can be two to five times more polluted
than outside air according to the US
Environmental Protection Agency,
thanks to in-home risk factors.
Unfortunately, allergy season also
coincides with the holy month of
Ramadan, when we discipline our
bodies with a month of fasting.
Repeated studies have also shown
that breathing in unclean air could be
making us more tired than normal – not
something anyone wants at this special
time! Besides irritating the airways and
lungs, unclean air makes you lethargic,
forgetful and lowers productivity.
For these reasons, allergic rhinitis
could present more severely than
usual, preventing people from living a
normal life, whether by attending work
and school, enjoying time with family,
or sleeping well at night.
The good news is that the symptoms
of hay fever, also called allergic
rhinitis, can be alleviated with a few
simple steps during the holy month of
Ramadan and all through summer.
1. Vacuum frequently
Vacuuming is one of the most effective
ways to remove allergens such as
pollen, sand particles, dust, pet
dander and the micro-organisms they
harbour. Use a vacuum cleaner with a
bag to trap dust and prevent it from
being rereleased into the air, and one
with a high-efficiency particulate air
(HEPA) filter, as these remove at least
99.97% of the ultra-small particles that
cause health problems.
2. Clean the air vents
Clean the air vents in your home
regularly by vacuuming and wiping
them down with a damp cloth and non-
toxic cleaner. Consider professional air
duct cleaning for thorough cleaning
with organic cleaning agents if you
suspect that there is mold, insect or
rodent infestation, or clogging.
3. Purify the air you breathe
Indoor air is a cocktail of undesirable
pollutants. Besides sandstorm-borne
allergens, it contains cigarette smoke,
emissions from paint and upholstery,
air fresheners and particulate matter
from cooking. Air purifiers remain the
most efficient way to eliminate these
pollutants.
4. Use dust mite covers
Use protective dust mite covers on
pillows, mattresses and box springs to
prevent dust mite from getting to their
food source, to prevent their waste
and body parts already in the mattress
from becoming airborne, and to keep
the mattress and pillows free from our
sweat and the natural oils on our skin.
5. Control temperature and
humidity
Keep indoor temperatures under 21°C
and relative humidity in your home
below 50% to make it difficult for dust
mites to thrive. The most common of
indoor air allergens fare badly in these
conditions.
6. Check allergy maps and
adapt your routines
Monitor your allergy triggers via
websites such as the government-
recommended Plume Air Report, and
Meteoblue.com, which track the air
quality and pollen counts in Dubai and
elsewhere in the UAE.
7. Use a car air purifier
Commuters in the UAE may not
realise the air in their cars can be up
to 15 times more polluted than on the
road outside. Poor indoor air quality
is caused by vehicle exhaust – the
car’s own and others’ – as well as tire
and road wear products that enter
through ventilation systems. During
sandstorms, silica crystals may carry
viruses, bacteria and dust mites, UAE
experts say.