ALLERGIES IN INDIA- A STUDY OF 6270 PATIENTS.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Wiqar A. Shaikh,
Allergy and Asthma Clinic,
Shakti Sadan, Lamington Road,
Mumbai-400007,
Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: drwiqar@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Allergies afflict a large population of the world. Previous studies have revealed that the incidence of allergic manifestations and causative allergens in India are different from the western countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

6270 consecutive patients with allergic manifestations attending the clinic from July 01, 2008 to June 30, 2018 were included in this study. Patients underwent a complete allergy work-up including total serum IgE levels, skin prick tests, patch tests, pulmonary function tests and nasal function test.

RESULTS

The results obtained from this study revealed that atopy is less common in India as compared to the west. Pollen allergy and food allergy are also less common in India. Cocoa is the commonest food allergen in India and insect allergens have a high positivity rate.

CONCLUSION

Allergies in India are different from the west. We are justified in coining the term “Tropical Allergy and Asthma” as a different clinical entity when compared with allergies in western countries.

KEY WORDS

Allergy, Asthma, Atopy, Conjunctivitis, Contact Dermatitis, Eczema, Rhinitis, Urticaria