Other causes of allergic rhinitis

Posted on 8 September 2015

In the spring issue of Mediclinic Family, Dr Mariana Lloyd, a chemical pathologist at PathCare Bloemfontein, gave us the scoop on seasonal allergies. Here are more allergens to watch out for.

Mould spores
Mould spores are variable in the different climatic regions. The most prevalent mould spores in South Africa include Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Epicoccus. Cladosporium occurs in compost and decaying vegetation and is the most dominant airborne mould spore in South Africa. Alternaria is also an outdoor mould and grows on vegetation with dispersion of spores during dry periods – it is more prevalent in drier provinces in South Africa. Sensitisation to Alternaria is an important risk factor for the development and persistence of asthma in adults and children. Aspergillus is both an indoor and outdoor mould, more prevalent in humid regions. Epicoccus is more prevalent in coastal regions. The peak seasons for mould spores are during spring and autumn.

Animal dander
Animal dander (tiny flecks of shed skin) should not be ignored: cats and dogs remain the most frequent cause of ‘indoor’ allergic rhinitis. The small dander particles get trapped in carpets, curtains and upholstery, and are difficult to remove.

Mites
House dust mites are another important cause of chronic indoor allergic rhinitis. Most mite species thrive in a warm, humid environment, and are therefore more prevalent in coastal regions.

Insects
Do not forget the increased risk of insect stings, especially honeybees and wasps, during spring and summer!

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.