Prof Abdullahi Alanamu, of the Department of Plant Biology, University of Ilorin (Unilorin), has advised Nigerians to explore Aeropalynological studies, to help hay fever sufferers in managing their allergies effectively.
Alanamu gave the advice in Ilorin while delivering the University’s 229th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday.
Alanamu’s presentation was titled: “The Tiny Giant of the Unseen that Explains the Seen.”
The don, who lectures in Unilorin’s Faculty of Life Sciences, defined Aeropalynology as the study of particulates in the air.
He said that the field of study was scarce in Nigeria, adding that little or no known aero-pollen data was available geographically in the country.
The expert described pollen as a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle, which contained proteins that could cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.
Alanamu said that recently, a research was carried out to identify the concentration of air-borne pollen/fungal spores and the effect of some meteorological parameters on its concentration at the University.
He said that the amount of pollen and spores on the campus was determined for four months – December/January to March/April.
“The amount of pollen and spores was higher in March than in other months.
“It was observed that meteorological factors influenced pollen concentration, hence there is the need to always determine the amount of these pollen concentrations all year round,” he said.
Alanamu explained that such a research would not only help to predict the vegetation of a given area, but would also help hay fever sufferers to manage their allergies effectively.
Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis. It is caused by the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens (grasses, weeds or trees), dust mite, moulds and animal dander.
It affects up to one in five people at some point in their life.
Some of the immediate signs and symptoms of hay fever include runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
In some cases, the symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell.
