Filipino News 169 - Eleksyon 2023

02 ISSUE 169 ELEKSYON | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
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AUCKLAND – Allergies
are a common health issue in
New Zealand, affecting a
significant number of people.
According to a report by
the New Zealand Ministry of
Health, an estimated one in
three New Zealanders (over
1.5 million people) have
been diagnosed with an
allergy at some point in their
lives. 1 in 10 infants in New
Zealand will be doctor-diagnosed
with a food allergy
before they are 2 years of
age.
Due to the significant
occurrence of allergies in
New Zealand The Asian
Network Incorporated
(TANI) and Allergy New
Zealand have taken action
to increase awareness of
allergies within the community.
The two organizations
collaborated to deliver a
'Quick Facts about Allergy'
presentation to the Te Atatu
community recenty.
“We decided to do a talk
about allergies, because in
the Summer and Spring seasons
allergies seem to be
more prevalent,” said Ekta
Kumar, the communications
lead for TANI. “We are
always looking to cover topics
that provide timely information.
“I think that in 2022 we
saw a higher incidence of
allergies as well. It may or
may not have been caused
by Covid affecting our
immune systems.”
The featured speaker at
the Te Atatu event was
Roann Ilao, a Filipina, who
works as an Allergy
Educator for Allergy New
Zealand. Having experienced
numerous allergies
throughout her life, including
those to food, medication,
dust mites and pets,
Roann’s personal and family
struggles with allergies have
inspired her to pursue a
career with Allergy NZ.
“I have allergies every day
and at any time of the day. I
am also on regular antihistamine
medication. I also have
a monthly immunotherapy
(injection) for my immune
and allergy-related conditions.
That’s why it is my
passion to talk about allergies.”
During her presentation
Is an
allergy
affecting
you?
By Ricky Matthew
Roann Ilao, Allergy Educator
for Allergy New Zealand.
she gave an overview of the
examples, possible causes,
related conditions, management/prevention
of allergies
and available support organisations
for allergies.
“An allergy is an overreaction
of your immune system
to substances called
allergens (e.g. food, pollen,
dust mites, moulds, drugs,
pets and insects). During an
allergic reaction your
immune system incorrectly
registers that these allergens
are harmful to your body
and releases histamine.
Histamine causes allergic
symptoms such as redness,
itchiness, swelling, sneezing,
etc.
“Those who have allergies
are familiar with the symptoms.
You can have teary
eyes, sneezing, rhinitis or
“An allergy is an overreaction of your
immune system to substances called
allergens (e.g. food, pollen, dust mites,
moulds, drugs, pets and insects).”
hayfever symptoms,
a runny nose,
coughing and in
case of a severe
reaction (anaphylaxis)
you can experience
symptoms
like difficulty in
breathing,
swelling/tightness
in the throat, etc. Anaphylaxis
is a medical emergency
– DIAL 111.”
Roann has had first-hand
experience with these allergic
reactions. “In 2018 I had
a moderate allergic reaction
affecting my skin and face
(hives & swelling). In 2020 I
was admitted to hospital
because my whole body was
swollen and I couldn’t
breathe.”
This has prompted her to
educate herself and others
on the causes of allergies.
“One reason we may develop
allergies is because of our
family medical history, our
genes. Our parents or grandparents
might have allergies.
My grandparents had asthma
and allergies. However, their
children did not have allergies
but I, the grandchild,
did. Now my children have
allergies as well.
“Additionally, people can
be allergic to drugs. For
example, I am allergic to
Aspirin and Augmentin.
“Whenever I am in a hospital,
clinic, or pharmacy, I
always tell them that I am
allergic to these medications
so that they don’t prescribe
them for me.
“Food allergies and foodinduced
anaphylaxis are on
the rise in New Zealand and
globally. There is no cure.
People can have other
adverse reactions to food
that can be confused with
food allergies. An example
would be lactose intolerance.
This is an intolerance
to the sugar (lactose) in
milk. Although food allergies
and food intolerance
might have similar symptoms,
food allergies involve
the immune system and can
cause severe reactions while
food intolerance involves
the digestive system, not the
immune system. You need to
consult with your doctor to
determine whether you have
an allergy or an intolerance.”
Ekta Kumar
The Asian Network Inc.,
How do we manage
allergies?
“If you suspect that you
suffer from allergies, please
make an appointment with
your GP,” advised Roann.
“They can help you to develop
an allergy management
plan for you and your family.
If your condition is complex,
then your GP may need
to refer you to an allergy
specialist.
“For patients diagnosed to
be at risk of anaphylaxis
their doctor may recommend
that they carry an EpiPen®
and will recommend an
Anaphylaxis Action Plan for
them.
“As a result of more than
40 years of co-ordinated
advocacy by Allergy NZ and
its clinical networks the
EpiPen was approved by
Pharmac to be fully funded
from 1st February this year.
Now if you have a Special
Authority from your GP then
you can receive 2 fullyfunded
EpiPens per year.
“Another related condition
is eczema. This is very common
among Asian and
Pacific children. Starship
Hospital estimates that
eczema affects 25% of children
(https://starship.org.nz/
guidelines/eczema-diagnosis-and-assessment/).
The
symptoms are redness, dryness,
inflammation and
infection of the skin.
Eczema, like an allergy, is
not contagious.”
Roann emphasized that.
“Allergies are not like
Covid. Allergies are not contagious.
You cannot pass the
allergic symptoms (e.g.
sneezing, itching) to other
people.”
Lack of awareness and
support for people with
allergies is still an issue in
New Zealand. Roann spoke
about this. “We need more
allergy awareness among the
Asian population and
Allergy NZ is trying to
address this by raising
awareness through events
like this health talk, their
regular GP Allergy Updates,
etc.”
Roann’s final advice –
“Please contact your GP or
Healthline if you need any
help with your allergies. You
can also contact Allergy NZ
if you or your family members
need support with allergy-related
matters.”
Allergy New Zealand -
Email: allergy@allergy.org.
nz, Website: www.allergy.
org.nz, Facebook and
Instagram: Allergy New
Zealand.
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