The role of external physical forces in triggering the allergic reactions

Background: In the era of scientific advancements, the allergic population is increasing at an alarming rate in modern urban society. In this context, the influence of the external forces like humidity and other physical forces in triggering the allergic symptoms is investigated.

Methods: The humidity has been measured in two cities namely Visakhapatnam, a coastal city and Anantapur, a non-coastal and dry weather city of Andhra Pradesh State in India, and the number of allergic population has been determined basing on the appearance of allergic symptoms, and measuring the absolute esinophil count, peak expiratory flow rate and estimation of IgE antibody.

Results: Visakhapatnam city with ~70% humidity is found to trigger about 30% migrants to develop allergic symptoms to that of Anantapur city with ~40% humidity to 10% migrants to be allergic. Physical forces/non-immunogenic agents like rainy season, onslaught of monsoon, dampness, odors, exposure to sun light at certain angles or direct exposure to air conditioned breeze could trigger the spontaneous allergic rhinitis/asthma. Furthermore, a small variation in humidity from room to room in the same building can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. These allergic symptoms can be prevented by regulating the fan speed, or air-conditioned breeze. And also, it is observed that allergic symptoms appear more frequently in indoors rather than in outdoors, this is  due to humidity, soiled robes, the other agents like house dust mite, unhygienic conditions or combination of other facts.

Conclusion: There are certain kinds of physical agents which can induce allergic symptoms and also certain perfumes can relieve off existing asthmatic symptoms.