July 8 is National Allergy Day (NAD) as declared in the Presidential Proclamation No. 1313 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is an annual event held to increase awareness and educate the public on the growing problems of allergies that Filipinos are facing today. The Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI) as a globally recognized organization of moral and ethical physicians in the field of Allergy and Immunology has been at the forefront of this endeavor tailored especially for the day.
An allergy is an immune system response to foreign substances called allergens that’s not typically harmful to your body. Your immune system’s job is to keep your body healthy by fighting harmful pathogens. It does this by attacking anything it perceives as an outside invader threatening the body. These allergens may include certain foods such as wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish, and eggs, drugs such as Penicillin and sulfa drugs, pollen, or pet dander. The latex, often found in latex gloves and metals like nickel are also common allergens. Depending on the allergen, the response may involve inflammation, hives, nausea, fatigue, swollen eyes and in severe cases can lead to breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness.
In line with the celebration of National Allergy Day, the Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (PSAAI) will conduct an event, entitled “Diary ng Allergic habang Pandemic”. The Allergists will share their knowledge and expertise on allergies via Facebook live on July 11, 2021. This event aims to increase awareness and knowledge of Filipinos on allergy. Some of the topics to be discussed are Allergy symptoms, Conquering our Allergies, Mental Health Check ngayong Pandemic, Halika Rumesbakuna ka na, and Anong magagawa mo upang maiwasan ang COVID-19. This is open to the public and registration is free. Let’s tune in and learn more about allergies!
-ZDN-PNFP Rowence Zorilla
References:
1. PSAAI