It is springtime, and with all the pleasantness associated with the warmer weather and sunnier days comes a major challenge for many: allergies from the masses of pollen that flowers, trees and grass release and that are spread by the wind over long distances.
Pollen allergies can have serious health implications for people who suffer from conditions such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. The symptoms of pollen allergies may include nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watering and itchy or irritated eyes, among other things.
Researchers from the North-West University (NWU) are taking a stand against pollen allergies through a research study that aims to understand the pollen production patterns of trees and weeds commonly found in the North West Province. NWU is part of the nation-wide initiative called the South African Pollen Monitoring Network (SAPNET). The aim is to make South Africa a better place to breathe and live in.
The first steps in reducing the exposure of local communities to high levels of pollen and pollen allergies are to identify the pollens, count them and do weekly data comparisons. It is important to know what airborne pollen and fungal spores are in the air during spring, summer and all year round.
In collaboration with Grand Challenge Canada and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), the NWU researchers are doing free skin prick tests at two of the university’s campuses in Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark. Another spore trap is installed at Sharpeville which is the topic of student Keneilwe Podile’s MSc thesis. Their quest is to investigate the levels of allergic reactions to pollen and mould spores among the local communities in the Vaal Triangle area.
Staff and students are invited to participate
Skin prick tests, which identify individual participants’ pollen allergies, have already been conducted on the Vanderbijlpark Campus on 22 to 26 July and will move to the Potchefstroom Campus on 14 to 17 October. The team plans to do similar tests in Sharpeville later this year.
“We are inviting students and NWU staff to participate in our research study, ‘Exposure to biological allergens and air pollutants under climate change conditions within communities in South Africa’,” says Dr Frank Neumann, aerobiologist and palynologist, associate professor and subject chair for Geology and Soil Science.
The research team comprises Frank and Dr Dorra Gharbi as the co-principal investigators, and project administrator Keneilwe Podile.
Frank says the research project is not merely about raising awareness; it is also about taking action.
Dorra agrees: “When you know what pollen you are allergic to, and if you are going to be outside for an extended period, it may be better to take your allergy medication as prescribed by your medical doctor. Most people should start taking their allergy medication before their pollen season begins, especially if you know your pollen allergies are worse during spring.”
According to Frank, they hope to test a minimum of 250 people for pollen allergies in this phase of the study at the Potchefstroom Campus, which will ultimately include 3 500 participants. Dr Jo-hanne Linde is the Head Medical Doctor, supported by nurses from Prof Petra Bester and the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research (AUTHeR) team.
Please note that the tests are not suitable for anyone with uncontrolled asthma, poor lung function, recent anaphylaxis reaction, urticaria or atopic dermatitis.
The testing will be followed by a workshop on 31 October at the NWU’s Astrovilla. It will bring together the research team, NWU directors and other employees, as well as stakeholders from the participating communities, to discuss the results and the way forward.
For more information about the skin prick tests conducted in Vanderbijlpark, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7221482222216740865/.
To learn more about the NWU’s work on pollen counts, visit: https://news.nwu.ac.za/exotic-pollen-attacks-are-rise-causing-serious-allergies.
For more information or to participate in the study, contact Keneilwe at keneilwe.podile01@gmail.com.
