Do you also sometimes suffer from runny noses, frequent sneezing, and itchy eyes , especially during the flowering season? Maybe you're thinking, "Oh, it's all because of the dust and pollen in this area. If only we could move to a drier area, like the seaside, we could get rid of this problem." This is something that many people think. But will moving to a different place really make your allergies go away completely? Let's take a closer look at this.
Why do allergies differ from region to region?
It's very simple to understand. You get an allergy when your body mistakenly identifies something harmless (like pollen) as an "enemy." The body's immune system then starts to fight against that "enemy." The results of that fight are the symptoms you get, such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes.
Now think about it, do the different regions of Sri Lanka have the same type of trees and leaves? No, right? The trees in Nuwara Eliya are not the same as the trees in Hambantota. Also, flowers bloom at different times and pollen is collected in the air in different ways. So, if you are allergic to the pollen of the pine trees in Nuwara Eliya, when you go to Hambantota, you will feel relief for a while because there is no pollen. But that is not the problem.
Will moving to a drier area really make allergies go away?
Many people think that moving to a dry, desert-like area will improve their allergies. But that's not the truth. Imagine, you move to a city in a dry region. But the people there also grow beautiful grass around their houses, don't they? When they build new houses and roads, they turn the earth over. Then a lot of weeds native to that area grow. You can also develop allergies to the pollen from those plants.
Also, allergies don't just occur to things outside. Things inside the home are also a big cause of this.
| Allergen Type | Examples and descriptions |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Allergens | These are pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds. They float in the wind and cause allergies when we breathe them in. |
| Indoor Allergens | These can come with you wherever you go. Examples: dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet dander, and more. |
Simply put, whether you move from Colombo to Hambantota or from Nuwara Eliya to Jaffna, there is a high chance that there will be dust, aphids, and mold inside your home. So even if the environment outside changes, the environment inside the home will not change that much.
What is this 'sensitization'?
This is the most important thing. Imagine that you have lived in the same place for years. Your body has become accustomed to the things in that environment (pollen, dust ). Now you are moving to a new place. For the first few months, maybe a year or two, you may be perfectly healthy without any allergies. You think, "Ah... my illness has improved."
But something else happens. Your body is exposed to new environments. That means new types of pollen, new weeds, new climates, and so on. Over time, your immune system can become "sensitized" to one or more of these new things, which means it starts to treat them as enemies. In medicine, we call this sensitization .
That means, even if you get rid of the old allergy, you might develop a brand new one instead. So in two or three years, you could start sneezing and having a stuffy nose all over again.
So what should you do before moving?
Before you make a big decision like moving house because you're fed up with your life because of an allergy , you need to think carefully. Here are some things you can do:
- Go away for a while: Go away for a week or two to the place you're thinking of going. See how you feel during that time. Are your allergies gone? Or are you experiencing any new discomforts?
- Ask people there: Ask a friend or relative who lives in the area you're going to about the allergy situation there. Ask questions like, "Do you have a season where you get a runny nose or a runny nose?"
- Talk to your doctor : This is the most important thing. Talk to your family doctor about your allergies and your idea of moving. You may be able to get an ``allergy test'' to find out exactly what you are allergic to. That way you will know if that allergen is present in the area you are moving to.
Moving is a big deal. It can affect your job, your children's schools, and your entire life. So before making a rash decision like that, it's important to carefully consider whether it will actually provide the health benefits you're hoping for.
Take-Home Message
- There is no guarantee that simply changing the province will completely cure the allergy.
- Even if you feel relief at first, over time your body may become sensitized to things in the new environment and develop new allergies.
- Indoor allergens like dust mites and mold can be present wherever you go.
- Before making a big decision, take a short trip to the area you're planning to visit and see how you feel.
- The most important thing is to discuss this with your doctor and seek his or her advice.
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