ALLERGEN SENSITIZATION PATTERNS IN ASTHMATICS IN URBAN WESTERN INDIA EVALUATED BY SKIN PRICK TEST

Dr. Lavina V. Mirchandani; Dr. Ibrahim Siddiqui; Dr Girija Nair

Volume : X, Issue : VI, June - 2020

ALLERGEN SENSITIZATION PATTERNS IN ASTHMATICS IN URBAN WESTERN INDIA EVALUATED BY SKIN PRICK TEST

Dr. Lavina V. Mirchandani, Dr. Ibrahim Siddiqui, Dr Girija Nair

Abstract :

Background: Skin prick allergy tests (SPT) are reliable, safe, rapid tests to diagnose IgE mediated response to specific allergens in patients where atopy is suspected. Identifying the particular allergen causing atopy has preventive and therapeutic implications. Methodology: In this study conducted in an urban hospital in western India, we analysed sensitization to various allergens in 61 asthmatics by performing SPT. Results: Patients were sensitized to house dust mites (34.82%), followed by fungi (26.7%), dust (25.4%) and plant pollen (22.68). Insects and pigeons were the allergen in 28.95% and 28% asthmatics patients respectively. Food allergies were noted to grams (31.28%), egg (29.23%) and milk (29.23%). Conclusion: Allergen sensitization patterns depend on the local geographic, cultural and socioeconomic milieu and need to be studied in specific regions periodically, in order to prevent and avoid allergies, avert seasonal exacerbations and identify patients for allergen immunotherapy.