Respiratory Allergy Treatment in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is respiratory allergy treatment?
Respiratory allergy treatment looks after people whose airways react to things they breathe in: house dust mites, pollen, mould spores or animal dander. In a person with allergy, the immune system treats these harmless particles as a threat and produces an antibody called IgE against them. Each new exposure then releases chemicals that swell the airway lining and tighten the muscle around the breathing tubes.
The nose and the lungs share one continuous lining, which is why specialists speak of the "united airway". Inflammation in one part tends to travel to the other. A large share of people with allergic asthma also have allergic rhinitis, and a blocked, dripping nose often makes chest symptoms harder to settle. For that reason, care at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah treats the nose and the chest as one system, led by our pulmonologist.
Who needs it
This service suits adults and older teenagers who have:
- Wheeze, cough or chest tightness that flares with dust, pollen seasons or cleaning
- Asthma alongside sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, or itchy eyes
- Symptoms that ease when travelling and return at home
- A cough that worsens in air-conditioned rooms or at night in bed
- Asthma that stays troublesome even with regular inhaler use
- A family history of asthma, eczema or hay fever
Local allergens shape the picture in the UAE. House dust mites thrive in humid coastal homes, carpets and mattresses. Date palm pollen peaks in spring, and pollen from mesquite (Prosopis) trees and desert grasses adds to it. Air-conditioning units and ducts collect dust and grow mould when poorly maintained, circulating spores round the clock. Dust and sandstorms act as a strong irritant on airways already primed by allergy, and shisha, cigarette smoke and vaping add a further load.
Children are cared for through childhood asthma treatment, and adults whose main concern is asthma control are well served by asthma treatment.
What happens
Your pulmonologist starts with a detailed trigger history: which months are worst, whether symptoms change between home, work and holidays, and what happens when the air conditioning comes on or a sandstorm arrives. Your chest is examined and your nose is checked for the pale, swollen lining typical of allergy.
Breathing is then measured with spirometry, which shows how narrow the airways are and how much they open after a reliever. Full lung function testing is added when the picture needs more detail, and a chest X-ray when another cause needs to be set aside.
To pin down the trigger, a blood sample is taken for specific IgE testing, and the samples go to the laboratory. A useful fact for patients: antihistamine tablets leave this blood test unaffected, so you can keep taking them. Skin-prick testing and allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation) are arranged by referral to an allergy specialist when they would add value. When nose symptoms dominate, your pulmonologist may involve the ENT team through nasal allergy testing.
Treatment is chosen by purpose:
| Treatment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Preventer inhaler | Settles allergic inflammation in the lungs day by day |
| Reliever inhaler | Opens tight airways quickly during symptoms |
| Steroid nasal spray | Calms the swollen nasal lining, which also helps the chest |
| Antihistamine | Eases sneezing, itching and runny nose |
| Allergen reduction | Lowers daily exposure to the trigger itself |
Trigger control is practical: washing bedding hot each week, mite-proof covers for mattress and pillows, regular cleaning of AC filters and servicing of ducts, keeping windows shut on dusty or high-pollen days, and a smoke-free home.
Preparing for it
Bring every inhaler, nasal spray and allergy medicine you use, in the actual devices. Bring earlier allergy test results, spirometry reports and chest X-rays, including any from your home country or from residence-visa screening, since older results help with comparison.
A short symptom diary over a week or two is valuable: note bad days, the weather, dust or pollen, time spent in air conditioning, and any cleaning, pets or smoke nearby. Photos of visible mould in your AC unit or bathroom can also help.
Afterwards
Reviews track how well the plan is working, with spirometry repeated when helpful and inhaler technique checked each time. As control improves, treatment is stepped to the lowest level that keeps you well. During Ramadan, your pulmonologist can help you plan preventer timing around suhoor and iftar; ask at a review before the month begins.
Contact the hospital if you need your reliever more often, wake at night with cough or wheeze, or if a new home, job or season brings fresh symptoms.
Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if you have severe breathlessness, trouble speaking in full sentences, blue lips, or a reliever that brings little or no relief. Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat with breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover pulmonology consultations, spirometry and chest X-ray. Allergy blood panels, fuller lung function testing and some preventer inhalers may need pre-approval, and referral services such as immunotherapy are covered according to your plan. The team at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks and limitations of respiratory allergy treatment?
Respiratory allergy treatment is low in risk, and its main limitation is that allergy is controlled rather than cured. Preventer inhalers can occasionally cause a hoarse voice or mouth thrush, which rinsing after use helps prevent, and some antihistamines cause drowsiness. Allergy tests show sensitisation, which does not always mean a substance causes symptoms, so results are read alongside your history.
Can a blocked nose make my asthma worse?
A blocked nose can make asthma worse, because the nose and lungs share one airway lining and inflammation in one tends to spread to the other. Breathing through the mouth also sends dry, unfiltered air to the lungs. Treating allergic rhinitis often improves asthma control.
Do I need to stop antihistamines before an allergy blood test?
You can keep taking antihistamines before a specific IgE blood test, because they leave the result unaffected. Skin-prick testing is different and usually requires a pause, which the allergy specialist advises on at referral.
Is skin-prick testing or immunotherapy available?
Skin-prick testing and immunotherapy are arranged through referral to an allergy specialist, while allergy blood tests and breathing tests are organised by the pulmonologist at Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah. Your pulmonologist explains when referral would help.
Why are my symptoms worse in spring in the UAE?
Spring symptoms in the UAE are often linked to date palm pollen, which is released in large amounts at that time of year, along with grass and tree pollens. Keeping windows closed on windy days and showering after time outdoors can reduce exposure.
Can my air conditioner cause breathing allergies?
An air conditioner can aggravate breathing allergies when its filters and ducts collect dust and mould, which it then circulates through the room. Regular filter cleaning and professional duct servicing reduce this, and dehumidifying damp rooms helps limit mould.
Is respiratory allergy treatment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover pulmonology consultations and spirometry, while allergy blood panels and some inhalers may need pre-approval. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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