Allergic Rhinitis on the Rise
"At least 300 million people across the Chinese mainland suffer from allergic diseases," says Dr Wang Xueyan, director of the Allergy Center at Beijing Shijitan Hospital.
Every spring, pollen triggers an unwelcome return of itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion and runny noses. Pan, a long-term patient, recalls, "Sometimes I even wanted to 'dig out' my eyeballs and wash them."
After more than a decade of battling pollen allergic rhinitis, Pan turned to desensitization immunotherapy under Dr Wang's care. By gradually introducing small doses of pollen allergens, his immune system is learning to build tolerance.
Inside the Allergy Lab
This episode of Health Talk follows Pan's treatment journey and offers a tour of Beijing Shijitan Hospital's specialized monitoring system, revealing the microscopic world of pollen. Viewers also learn about the four main allergy categories—respiratory, skin, food and insect—and diagnostic approaches from skin prick tests to blood assays.
Treatment Paths to Relief
Treatment options range from over-the-counter medications to targeted immunotherapy. For many sufferers, long-term relief may lie in strengthening the immune response rather than just masking symptoms. As spring blooms, these tools are helping millions find clearer, easier breathing.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
