Skin prick tests & identification of common household allergens in naso-bronchial allergic disorders in Southern India

Background: There are several allergens in the surroundings contributing to the symptoms and quality of life among the people with nasobronchial allergies. Their study would help in suggesting simple preventive measures for frequent exacerbations of nasobronchial allergy.Objectives:To study the clinico-epidemiological profile and the allergen sensitivity among them by using skin prick tests.Methods: In this descriptive study, 4140 skin prick tests were performed on 207 symptomatic cases of nasobronchial allergy, carried out in a hospital of Coastal South India between September 2008 & February 2013. Specific skin prick allergic tests were performed. Results: The mean age of the study population was 25.3 years. Among them, 53.6% were males. Allergic Rhinitis was present among 79.2%, sinus symptoms in 87.4% & chest symptoms in 60.9%. Also, 31.8% had family history. The skin prick test profile of the study population is given in table. Conclusions: Sinus symptoms were more common than the rest. Dust mite, Cockroach, mosquitoes,Parthenium,milk showed higher reactivity and most of these are preventable. Skin-prick test positivity Allergen Positive Reaction No. (%) Positive control (Histamine) 200 (96.6) Negative Control 2 (1.0) Morus Alba (Shrub) 92 (44.4) Prosopis (Tree) 84 (40.6) Tree Of Heaven (Herb) 59 (28.5) Alterniria Tinius (Fungus) 122 (58.9) Cockroach 173 (83.6) Mosquito 143 (69.1) Dust Mite 187 (90.3) Parthenium 152 (73.4) Coconut 81 (39.1) Milk 77 (37.2) Banana 55 (26.6) Egg Whole 51 (24.6) Ground Nut 43 (20.8) Sunflower Oil 51 (24.6) Fish Mix 50 (24.2) Lamb 35 (16.9) Chicken Meat 35 (16.9) Shrimp 31 (15.0)