Experts: Be cautious during sandstorms

Living organisms and finest particles of dust whipped up by sandstorms sweeping across the UAE and originating from as far as the Indian subcontinent and Saudi Arabia could be causing respiratory allergies among residents, warned doctors and weathermen.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Thu 4 Apr 2013, 9:03 AM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 6:42 PM

Dr Hussain Abdel Rahman, Mazen Altaruti and Sufian Farah speaking at a seminar on sandstorms in Dubai on Wednesday. — KT photos by Shihab

Experts said on Wednesday that living organisms such as bacteria and virus could fly across countries through sandstorms and cause severe allergies. They said it was imperative that residents take the right precautions against the raging sandstorms that hit the country at least eight to 10 times a year.

Aside from bringing the country to a halt, sandstorms significantly increase the number of hospital visits and pose a heavy burden on the country’s healthcare. In addition to being a major safety issue of increased car accidents with sandstorms reducing the visibility to almost zero, these storms are a major cause of allergic rhinitis — irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose.

What to do

People should avoid going out in a storm.
People, especially patients, should cover their faces, eyes, nose and mouth to avoid inhaling dust and sand.
It is advisable to drink lots of water.
In severe sandstorms, wet towels can be put under the front door and windows to prevent sand from entering your property.

Allergic Rhinitis

Symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and nose congestion and headache.
In severe cases this also causes sleep loss, sinusitis, nose bleeds and middle ear infection.
Rhinitis caused by allergens such as fungal spores, plant and grass pollen, ragweed, dust and certain chemicals.
While the condition cannot be cured, it can easily be managed by removing contact with allergens and taking anti-histamine drugs if necessary.

In the UAE, at least 10 per cent of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis while 30 per cent are affected in Al Ain alone, according to studies.

“Sandstorms are a major cause of bacterial and viral infection particular amongst those with weaker immune systems such as the elderly and children,” said Director of Medical Affairs and Head of the ENT Department at Dubai Hospital Dr Hussain Abdel Rahman.

An awareness campaign organised by healthcare firm MSD will run in the UAE during the coming months when UAE’s ‘sandstorm season’ is expected to start from April to September.

“Sandstorms can last for several hours or sometimes even the whole day, bringing traffic to a standstill, forcing places of work and schools to close and significantly increase the number of hospitalisations,” said managing director of MSD Gulf Mazen Altaruti.

A brewing sandstorm could kick up allergic winds during the weekend, warned weathermen, urging residents to take the necessary precautions.

While light rain is also expected on Saturday, Sufian Farah, Weather Forecasting Specialist for the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), said that visibility will be reduced to less than 500 metres.

“A study conducted by the NCMS found that organic material from the Indian subcontinent was brought to the UAE through sandstorms during monsoons while sulphate flew in from Saudi Arabia’s Empty Quarter,” he explained.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com