Hay Fever is a major and growing health issue. It affects roughly 40% of Australians (including me, damnit). It’s medical name is ‘Allergic Rhinitis’, with Hay Fever being a common name that we’ve inherited from Britain. Allergic rhinitis is a persistent, sometimes chronic condition and while there are treatments for the symptoms; there is not yet a cure.
Hay fever rates are on the rise around the world, particularly in developing countries. A popular theory amongst allergy researchers is that this rise in the incidence of allergic rhinitis is the result of changes to our environment interacting with our genetic background.
40% of Australians Get Hay Fever.
Changes to our environment thought to contribute to increasing rates of hay fever include:
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Pollution due to growing urbanisation.
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Changes in nutrition introduced by the modern diet.
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Tobacco smoke.
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Increased household and environmental hygiene through infancy.
The World Health Organisation ranks allergy as fourth out of common and chronic global diseases. It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population are affected by respiratory allergies. If you’re reading this then you, or someone close to you, are probably one of those unlucky 1 in 4. Antipodeans are big sufferers; Australia, along with NZ, have amongst the highest rates of allergic disorders in the world overall.
It’s often not just a runny nose; allergic rhinitis carries an increased risk of asthma attacks. Three times the people with hay fever have asthma when compared to the whole population. I had asthma as a child but grew out of it towards the end of primary school. Over 80% of asthmatics also have hay fever.
Australians Have High Rates of Allergy and Hay Fever because:
Prevailing Winds Affect Pollen Levels.
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Longer pollen seasons mean more exposure airborne allergens.
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Our diverse culture means a greater diversity in types of foods and therefore, more potential food allergens.
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Our climate is favourable for dust mites.
Hay fever is a problem that is not going away anytime soon for Australians. Eczema and hayfever have approximately doubled in Australia and New Zealand in the last 15 years.
References:
Dr K. Baumgart ‘Allergic Rhinitis’ Medical Observer
Prescott S., The Allergy Epidemic: A Mystery of Modern Life. 2011.
Mullins RJ, et al. The economic impact of allergic disease in Australia: not to be sneezed at.
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