Air pollution particulates allergy
Sensitivity to traffic and particulate pollution.
About air pollution particulates allergy
Air pollution particulates are tiny solid and liquid specks in the air, mainly from traffic exhaust, wood and coal burning, industry and construction dust. The finest fractions, often labelled PM2.5 and PM10, are small enough to be breathed deep into the airways. Strictly speaking, most reactions to particulates are irritant rather than a classic IgE-mediated allergy: the particles inflame and irritate sensitive airways rather than triggering the antibody response seen with pollen or dust mite. Even so, pollution is a genuine and common problem in UK towns and cities, and it can also worsen true pollen allergy by making the airways more reactive. People with asthma, existing hay fever, young children and older adults tend to be most affected.
Symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours of exposure and include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, a scratchy throat, coughing and watery, stinging eyes. In people with asthma, high-pollution days can bring wheeze, chest tightness and breathlessness, and pollution is a well-recognised trigger for asthma flare-ups. Reactions are generally not life-threatening in their own right, but they can disturb sleep and reduce comfort at school, work and during exercise, and a serious asthma attack always needs prompt attention.
Management focuses on reducing exposure: checking local air-quality forecasts, avoiding busy roads at peak times, exercising in greener areas and keeping windows shut when pollution is high. Because this is largely an irritant effect, allergy testing is not usually the answer, though skin-prick or specific-IgE tests may be used to check for co-existing allergies. Treatment concentrates on controlling any underlying asthma or rhinitis, which may involve antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays. See a GP if breathing symptoms are frequent or worsening, and seek urgent help for a severe asthma attack.
Common triggers
- Air pollution particulates and products containing it
Symptoms
- Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, nose or ears
- Coughing or wheezing
- Worsening of asthma
Avoidance & management
- Reduce exposure to the trigger where possible
- Keep windows closed during high-exposure periods
- Use air filtration and wash bedding regularly
- Shower and change clothes after exposure
- Use prescribed antihistamines, nasal sprays or preventers
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.