TY - JOUR A1 - Parasuramalu, B A1 - Balaji, R A1 - Sharath Kumar, B T1 - Implication of pollen sensitivity among patients suffering from chronic urticaria: Current scenario Y1 - 2014/1/1 JF - International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences JO - Int J Health Allied Sci SP - 4 EP - 8 VL - 3 IS - 1 UR - https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2014;volume=3;issue=1;spage=4;epage=8;aulast=Parasuramalu DO - 10.4103/2278-344X.130597 N2 - Background: Studies have implicated house dust mites and foods sensitivity in chronic urticaria based on skin prick test (SPT) and in vitro analysis. There are no studies telling the importance of pollen sensitivity in these patients. Objective: To study the implication of pollen sensitivity in chronic urticaria patients along with foods and dust mite allergens using SPT method. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in Allergy Clinic, Preventive Medicine Unit, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Bangalore from January 2005 to March 2010. Totally 300 patients with confirmed clinical diagnosis of chronic urticaria were recruited and were subjected for SPT with 123 allergen extracts and the results were analyzed and interpreted. Results: Out of 300 chronic urticaria patients, 171 (57%) were in the age group of 20-39 years. One hundred and forty-six (48.67%) were males and 154 (51.33%) were females. One hundred and eighty-one (60.33%) were having only chronic urticaria. One hundred and forty (46.67%) of urticaria patients were having symptoms from 6 weeks to 1 year. Forty-four (14.67%) had a family history of atopy. Majority of urticaria patients (with or without comorbid conditions) were sensitive to food allergens (164, 54.66%) followed by pollens (92, 30.66%), dust mites (60, 20%), and others. Among food allergens, majority (15, 5%) were sensitive to masoor dal followed by almonds (14, 4.66%), ginger (13, 4.33%), and yeast (13, 4.33%). Among pollens, majority (32, 10.66%) were sensitive to Prosopis juliflora followed by Parthenium hysterophorus (17, 5.66%), Peltophorum pterocarpum (17, 5.66%), and Chenopodium album (16, 5.33%). Among dust mites, 42 (14%) and 39 (13%) were sensitive to D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, respectively. Conclusion: Pollens sensitivity is also implicated in chronic urticaria patients along with foods and dust mite allergens. ER -