Cockroaches trigger Asthma, allergy in children

NEW DELHI, February 15, 2008: If you spot cockroaches at your work place or at home then Asthama is one more disease you should be scared of.

Experts have observed that cockroaches are the main carrier that can trigger asthma and allergies in people, especially in young children.

"One of the most common causes of asthma in children around the world is a house dust mite, which live in the mattresses, pillows, carpets in the house. The second most common cause is cockroaches. The droppings of these cockroaches are a major allergen and cause asthma in children," says Dr Sanjeev Mehta, chest physician, Lilavathi Hospital, Mumbai.

When most people think of allergy triggers, they often focus on plant pollens, dust, animals and stinging insects. In fact, cockroaches also can trigger allergies and asthma. A fact that is less known, he says.

An analysis done by group of doctors confirm that the frequent hospital admissions of inner-city children with asthma often is directly related to their contact with cockroach allergensthe substances that cause allergies. From 23 per cent to 60 per cent of urban residents with asthma are sensitive to the cockroach allergen.

Cockroach allergy was first reported in 1943, when skin rashes appeared immediately after the insects crawled over patients' skin. Skin tests first confirmed patients had cockroach allergy in 1959.

In the 1970s, studies made it clear that patients with cockroach allergies develop acute asthma attacks. The attacks occur after inhaling cockroach allergens and last for hours. Asthma has steadily increased over the past 30 years. It is the most common chronic disease of childhood, experts say.