Singaporean scientists found the offender of runny noses in their houses- dust mites. Singapore Immunology Network (SIGN) and National University of Singapore (NUS) doctors and scientists conducted a research and had proven out that most Singaporeans are allergic to dust mites. In Singapore, there are 15 per cent adults are having asthma and 40 per cent of them are said to have been affected by allergic rhinitis, a form of inflammation in the upper respiratory tract.
This kind of allergic reaction leads to runny nose, irritation in the eyes, frequent sneezing. Allergy, a scientific magazine has conducted a survey among Singaporeans. The study showed that a number of 8,000 respondents are majorly allergic to dust mites which have 80 per cent.
The remaining percentage is cause by minor allergens. In addition, people coming from other countries, most especially from areas which are not tropical, are considered not sensitive to dust mites but as they stay long in Singapore, there is an increase of number of people being receptive and allergic in house dust mites.
Malaysian people and others coming from countries having the same type of weather have been seen to have the same allergic reactions with Singaporeans. Researches longed for cures, not just anti-allergy medicines or antihistaminic medications but also the move of the environmentalists to lessen if not to eradicate house dust mites which are affecting people’s health.
Professor Olaf Rotzschke, leader of the study, is proud to say that they have purely identified the grounds of allergies of Singaporeans instead of simply relying and looking on to information and research by other countries. As stated by Professor Wang De Yun, research associate from Otolaryngology department of NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, “…knowing the cause is the major step in creating ways to improve the lives of asthma and allergic rhinitis patients.”
