Kuala lumpur: Childhood allergies are on the rise in Malaysia, with paediatric specialists warning that the trend is becoming a significant public health concern as more young children experience reactions triggered by dust mites, food allergens, and environmental pollutants. Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Respiratory Specialist at Sunway Medical Centre in Sunway City, Dr Noor Zehan Abdul Rahim, stated that an estimated one in five Malaysian children may develop allergies, a trend driven largely by urban living and higher exposure to both indoor and outdoor allergens.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Noor Zehan highlighted that allergies can deeply affect a child’s quality of life, with urban settings exposing children to increased allergens such as dust mites, smoke, and pollution. While parents cannot control all factors, they can take steps to make their homes safer. Dust mites, in particular, are common in Malaysia due to humid conditions, accumulating in bedding, carpets, and soft furnishings. Pet dander, pollen, mould, and certain foods like peanuts, shellfish, and milk also contribute to the rising number of allergy cases.
Dr Noor Zehan noted that symptoms of allergies can vary and typically appear between two to three years of age, although food allergies may develop as early as six months, while respiratory allergies often emerge around the age of five or six. Parents should be vigilant about persistent or recurrent symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, wheezing, nasal blockage, skin rashes, vomiting, or diarrhoea, and maintain a symptom diary to help identify patterns.
She emphasized that untreated allergies could progress into more serious conditions such as chronic sinusitis and asthma, which disrupt a child’s sleep, focus, and everyday activities. Malaysia has observed a worrying increase in childhood asthma, with prevalence rising from 6.4 percent to 9.4 percent among children aged six to seven, and from 9 percent to 13 percent among adolescents aged 13 to 14.
To mitigate allergen exposure, Dr Noor Zehan advised parents to use dust-mite-proof bedding covers, vacuum with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, avoid smoke exposure, manage pet allergens, introduce allergenic foods between four and six months under medical guidance, and avoid fragrances or chemical-based products that may irritate sensitive airways. She also addressed misconceptions, reassuring parents that inhalers are not addictive but are essential tools that help children manage their conditions effectively.
Dr Noor Zehan also pointed out that reduced exposure to infections during the pandemic temporarily eased respiratory symptoms but also limited opportunities for immunity-building among children, making them more vulnerable post-COVID. She advised parents to balance hygiene with gradual reintroduction to diverse environments to rebuild immunity and recommended regular paediatric check-ups for early detection and treatment.
She concluded by stressing the importance of early intervention, encouraging parents to stay informed and proactive in managing their child’s allergies to ensure they live healthier, happier lives.