No walks and no parks during hazy weather, warn doctors

Abu Dhabi - With the weather being cool, hazy and breezy, it is tempting to take your child for a walk or spend a few hours outside. But don’t, warned doctors, as this could trigger asthma attacks and possibly lead to severe respiratory problems in children.

According to Dr Sanchita Bhattacharyya, paediatrics and neonatology specialist NMC Specialty Hospital, sandstorms carry different types of dust and biological particles or microbiological organisms that survive by forming spores (protective shell).

“Sandstorm can contain bacteria, fungi and virus like-particles, and these survive in dust particles and can travel across continents … these pollutants can mix with secondary pollutants generated from chemical reaction in the atmosphere. When these air pollutants enter the respiratory system, they cause various health problems,” she explained.

And for children with very delicate respiratory system, this can trigger acute respiratory infection and allergic rhinitis such as cough and runny nose. It can also lead to pneumonia, influenza, asthma, bronchiectasis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis (dust particles going in the small air sack of the lung, causing, inflammation and irritation).

“These dust particles can settle down in the lungs and can trigger asthma attacks. They will also trigger allergic reaction in children because their respiratory muscles are very sensitive. They will have breathing difficulty, wheezing and cough ... these are all part of asthmatic attacks,” said Dr Bhattacharyya.

When children develop acute breathing difficulties or an asthma attack, it is a medical emergency and they may need oxygen and other medication to help them breath properly, said Dr Bhattacharyya.

Dr Abdul Bari, specialist paediatrician, head of paediatrics, LLH Hospital Mussafah, added that dusty and windy condition can also trigger atopic dermatitis such as dry skin and eczema.

Cases doubled

Doctors said in the past four days, the number of children suffering from cough and breathing difficulties as a result of the weather has doubled, with some getting admitted overnight for observation.

“I see up to 10 children per day with this kind of illnesses (whereas) it is just two or three on regular days,” Dr Bhattacharyya noted adding that quite a few have come to the emergency with breathing difficulties.

“In the past three to four days, I have seen about four to five children who need to be admitted, so roughly that’s about one per day,” she said.

Dr Bari said out of 30 to 35 patients he sees between the ages of one to ten years, about 10-15 have respiratory problems due to dust.

“Majority of our cases are outpatients, only a few are admitted for this problem, around one per cent,” he said.

“We have seen a rise in OPD, in asthma and allergic rhinitis … the number of patients suffering from these problems must have doubled,” remarked Dr Deepti Chaturvedi, paediatrics specialist at Burjeel Hospital. She said those with respiratory problems have increased 1.5 to two times in the past days.

“Children coming with respiratory problems are mostly from one year onwards due to exposure to allergens,” she added, noting that the bad weather may have affected a number of students in schools.

“Dust is the most important trigger of asthma and wheezing,” she stressed.

Avoid exposure

Dr Chaturvedi warned parents about the dangers of exposing babies to dust as this could be a “big trigger for future occurrences of respiratory problems and symptoms.

“It is better to avoid this as far as possible. Every child has environmental triggers based on their genetic predisposition, so avoid these,” she advised.

It is very important as well for children with asthma or those prone to asthmatic attacks not to go out during the hazy/dusty weather. And, if this cannot be avoided, doctors advised parents to get kids to wear mask, goggles or cover their noses with cloth, and make the trip as quick as possible.

“Better to spend as little time outside as possible and stay indoors in air-conditioned living spaces or wear masks which can filter out dust particles. Goggles help protect the eyes. If you have a pre-existing condition, be extra careful as this can be a serious health threat,” Dr Bhattacharyya pointed out.

She also suggested getting vaccinated against the influenza virus from six month onwards.

Dr Chaturvedi recommended keeping windows closed and not going out to the balconies, too, during sandstorm. If possible, invest in an air purifier and get the airconditioning units cleaned.

“Try to avoid going out for a long walks or to the park, during this unpredictable weather,” she added. -olivia@khaleejtimes.com