batampos – Allergies or hypersensitivity reactions to certain substances (allergens) are common. The World Allergy Organization (WAO) estimates that the prevalence of allergies in every country in the world reaches 15-20 percent 5 .
Although not classified as a dangerous disease, allergies can affect the sufferer’s activities, including disrupting productivity. In fact, a study in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy (2012) states that allergic colds are the cause of a 27 percent decrease in worker productivity, and a 28 percent reduction in quality of life.
Allergic colds (rhinitis) along with allergic itching (urticaria) are two types of allergies that are often experienced by Indonesian people. The prevalence of allergic colds in the country is 53 percent, with sufferers most often found in the productive age group. Meanwhile, for allergic itching, a study in Palembang found the prevalence reached 43 percent.
“One of our efforts is to launch a self-medication campaign to identify and treat allergies independently. Allergies can interfere with productivity among productive age groups which of course can affect health. If not addressed immediately, allergies contribute to lowering the quality of life of sufferers,” said Steven Lee, Country Division Head of Consumer Health at Bayer Indonesia.
Education regarding allergy self-medication is also considered increasingly urgent considering that there are many false news that are easily circulated in the community. Meanwhile, research and information on the facts of allergies, especially in Indonesia, is still very minimal.
“Understanding the situation, Bayer initiated the first allergy self-medication campaign in Indonesia titled #RedakanAlergimuBestie. Lasting until December 2022, this campaign targets to educate allergy self-medication to 1 million Indonesians,” he continued.
Along with the allergy self-medication campaign, Bayer as a global company with competence in the field of Life Science related to health and agriculture, introduced its newest product, Claritin.
“So far, allergy sufferers are often reluctant to take allergy medications or antihistamines. Because, the majority of these drugs are less practical to obtain because they require a doctor’s prescription. In addition, the side effects trigger drowsiness that interfere with productivity and quality of life. We hope that the presence of Claritin from Bayer will be a solution for allergy sufferers to remain free of activities and return to living a quality life to relieve allergies,” said Steven Lee.
With a once daily dose, Claritin is effective in relieving allergy symptoms such as: sneezing, allergic runny nose, itchy nose and allergic itching. Claritin has been approved by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) as a limited over-the-counter drug (without a doctor’s prescription).
The start of the #RedakanAlergimuBestie campaign was marked by the launch of a digital guide for self-medication for colds, allergies and allergic itching via Cekpilekalergi.com. In addition, Bayer has empowered 8,000 pharmacists and pharmacist assistants to conduct self-medication education directly to consumers – by collaborating with the Indonesian Pharmacists Association (IAI) through the launch of the Self-Medication Guide for Cold Allergy and Allergic Itching.
Supporting the initiative, Prof. Dr. apt Zullies Ikawati as a pharmacy expert, emphasized, “In Indonesia, Allergic Colds (53 percent) and Allergic Itching/Urticaria (43 percent) are the most common types of allergies. Allergic runny nose or rhinitis is characterized by several conditions such as sleep disturbances; itchy or buzzing ears; watery, itchy and red eyes; sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy nose; as well as itchy throat, cough and postnatal drip.
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“While allergic itching or urticaria, commonly called hives or hives, can occur in all age groups. In fact, about 15-20 percent of the population has experienced allergic itching or urticaria during their lifetime. Allergic itching or urticaria is characterized by the appearance of rashes and flares accompanied by bumps, itching or burning.
“Avoiding allergens is the best treatment for allergies. However, allergy sufferers are often in situations where it is not possible to avoid allergen triggers. For example, travelers who have a dust allergy, but must visit the area. Self-medication avoids allergy triggers and anti-allergy without drowsiness to relieve allergies,” he said.
-Reporter: JP Group
