Singapore, Jan 9, 2008: Although allergies are common in over a million Singaporeans, many are unaware that they even suffer from them, according to the first national ‘CLARITYNE & CLARINASE Allergy Perception Survey’ by Schering- Plough, a science-centered global health care company.

 

More than 68 percent of surveyed households had at least one person suffering from allergies at least once a month. The two main symptoms of allergies are blocked nose and runny nose, which allergy sufferers readily accept as an inherited symptom of a “sensitive nose” or “morning sinus.”

 

Over half of the respondents from the sample group think that there is little that can be done to treat allergies or are unsure of how to treat them. Awareness level is low among Singaporeans as to the differences between flu and allergies, believing that symptoms of an allergy reaction and flu are distinct. More than half of respondents do not treat themselves when suffering from allergy symptoms and about half of respondents do not believe there are treatment options available for their condition.

 

Dr. Stephen Lee, consultant and & Ear, Nose & Throat surgeon at Raffles Hospital, said “The lack of knowledge is certainly present both in children and adults, and people need to be better educated to get proper diagnosis and treatment. The most alarming part is the amount of people who leave their allergies untreated or mistreated for a long period of time, which can potentially develop into more serious comorbidities.”

 

More than 93 percent of working respondents and more than 88 percent of schooling respondents lost up to 14 productive hours on average per month. This totals up to 168 hours lost at work or school due to blocked nose or allergy symptoms, such as runny nose,

sneezing, itching & watery eyes and skin rashes.

 

Dr Anne Goh, head of the Paediatric Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, remarked, “Allergies need to be taken more seriously, and often times, are left untreated. This can then lead to more serious consequences, such as sinusitis, sleep apnoea and asthma. It is important that people get the proper care and treatment for their allergies now.”

 

“To a certain extent, Singaporeans take work more seriously than their allergic condition, because they have accepted it as part of their daily lives. We hope to make Singaporeans understand that their allergy symptoms can be handled effectively to help increase work productivity,” she added.

 

Sharing his views on treatment and management of allergies, Prof Henry Tan, head & senior consultant of the Department of Otolaryngology at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital said, “In many cases the preferred choice of medication for allergies may be a paracetamol-based pain reliever, however this treatment may not be the most appropriate option and, in certain cases, may cause complications to the patient. At most, this will treat any head discomfort the patient may have. We should be looking for a first-line, non-drowsy -antihistamine or decongestant and, for more serious cases, we would look to treat with use of a nasal steroid.”