G O U R M E T K N OW L E D G E
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALLERGIES
Allergies are nothing to sneeze about. We speak to general practitioner Dr Benjamin Loh about the common causes, treatments, and in particular, how to deal with food allergies. BY PRIYANKA ELHENCE
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obody likes having allergies. It’s an uncomfortable inconvenience for most of us, and a potentially fatal occurrence for a few. Instead of just sneezing the problem away, there are ways to detect the triggers and deal with the symptoms. Dr. Benjamin Loh, a general practitioner with a special interest in allergy, ear, nose and throat, and dermatology, shares how one can manage both food and inhalant allergies by taking a multidisciplinary, holistic approach to one’s health. Are flu symptoms and dust mite allergy symptoms the same? Contrary to popular belief, they are not identical despite sharing some similarities. Dust mite allergy – one of the most common allergies – can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as sneezing, teary eyes and a runny nose. If you are having a flu, you might have fever, chills and a loss of taste and smell. Some patients with Covid-19 might also experience nausea, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting. How is dust mite allergy treated? Symptom management is vital for treating dust mite allergy. Decongestants, antihistamines and corticosteroids help provide temporary relief. Currently, immunotherapy where we repeatedly introduce allergens into the body so that it becomes desensitised, and sublingual immunotherapy where allergens are introduced under the tongue, are viewed as potential treatments for grass, pollen and dust mite allergies.
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