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Is There A Permanent Solution To Low Tolerance To Pollution And Smoke?
Posted on
Sun, 6 Sep 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 6 Sep 2020
Answered on
Wed, 25 Jun 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : Low tolerance to pollution and smoke.
I have a decently active lifestyle, I ride a bicycle, 50km on a daily basis.
Don't smoke cigarettes.
I had a similar issue before, saw a pulmonologist, he prescribed an effervescent table and a nasal drop. Things got better for a while, now going back to how it was.
is there a permanant solution to this?
I have a decently active lifestyle, I ride a bicycle, 50km on a daily basis.
Don't smoke cigarettes.
I had a similar issue before, saw a pulmonologist, he prescribed an effervescent table and a nasal drop. Things got better for a while, now going back to how it was.
is there a permanant solution to this?
Brief Answer:
Seems to be allergy or hypersensitivity
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Can you describe your symptoms? If the allergen is known then avoiding the allergen is the best cure to avoid allergy.
Other options are nasal drops, anti allergic tablets like cetrizine, etc. Allergy shots are available for some types of allergies and may work.
Dr Vaishalee
Seems to be allergy or hypersensitivity
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Can you describe your symptoms? If the allergen is known then avoiding the allergen is the best cure to avoid allergy.
Other options are nasal drops, anti allergic tablets like cetrizine, etc. Allergy shots are available for some types of allergies and may work.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
A little cigarette smoke or vehicle exhaust fumes makes it very difficult for me to take deep breaths. And if I do take deep breaths in such situations, my wind pipe and chest feels inflammated for some time.
Brief Answer:
It could be allergy or asthma
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I will suggest that you get confirmed with further tests like chext X ray PA view and pulmonary function test. Pulmonary function tests are usually available in medical colleges. Although management could be similar for allergy and asthma, we need to find if there inflammation or bronchoconstriction to allergen. So medicine can be started accordingly.
As I said earlier, avoid air pollution.
Dr Vaishalee
It could be allergy or asthma
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I will suggest that you get confirmed with further tests like chext X ray PA view and pulmonary function test. Pulmonary function tests are usually available in medical colleges. Although management could be similar for allergy and asthma, we need to find if there inflammation or bronchoconstriction to allergen. So medicine can be started accordingly.
As I said earlier, avoid air pollution.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Could you please suggest the tests that I would need to take to be certain about my allergies/condition?
Brief Answer:
Tests
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Basic test is chest X Ray PA view. It will help find if lungs are getting affected or not. Basically we want you to breath well. Next test would be pulmonary function test to see if asthma or COPD is there.
Apart from above tests we can do complete blood count, serum immunoglobulin levels and sputum culture and sensitivity which can help differentiate infection from allergy and also find cause of infection. We already know that problem happens with pollution and smoke, so specific tests to find allergen are not needed but can be done to find exact allergen in air.
So we can do the above tests step-wise.
Dr Vaishalee
Tests
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Basic test is chest X Ray PA view. It will help find if lungs are getting affected or not. Basically we want you to breath well. Next test would be pulmonary function test to see if asthma or COPD is there.
Apart from above tests we can do complete blood count, serum immunoglobulin levels and sputum culture and sensitivity which can help differentiate infection from allergy and also find cause of infection. We already know that problem happens with pollution and smoke, so specific tests to find allergen are not needed but can be done to find exact allergen in air.
So we can do the above tests step-wise.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
I've got a PFT done this morning. Please let me know your insights from the report.
Brief Answer:
PFT is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Thanks for reverting with report of PFT. It is a normal report and rules out asthma or COPD. So allergy is the problem here. You need to avoid allergen and take tab cetirizine 5 mg when the problem is bad. It is an anti allergic and helps reduce symptoms.
Hope this helps.
Dr Vaishalee
PFT is normal
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Thanks for reverting with report of PFT. It is a normal report and rules out asthma or COPD. So allergy is the problem here. You need to avoid allergen and take tab cetirizine 5 mg when the problem is bad. It is an anti allergic and helps reduce symptoms.
Hope this helps.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Noted.
Thanks for your help.
Other than the centrizine, is there any other medication that I need to take? Are there any ayurvedic or homeopathic solutions to this?
Thanks for your help.
Other than the centrizine, is there any other medication that I need to take? Are there any ayurvedic or homeopathic solutions to this?
Brief Answer:
Currently cetrizine is enough for mild symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Cetrizine is enough for mild symptoms and can be taken as and when required. You can wear a pollution mask to save yourself from pollution.
In ayurveda this is considered a kapha disorder. However I am not an ayurveda practitioner. You can post a query for an ayurveda and homeopathy doctor and they will be happy to assist you.
Dr Vaishalee
Currently cetrizine is enough for mild symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Cetrizine is enough for mild symptoms and can be taken as and when required. You can wear a pollution mask to save yourself from pollution.
In ayurveda this is considered a kapha disorder. However I am not an ayurveda practitioner. You can post a query for an ayurveda and homeopathy doctor and they will be happy to assist you.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Will do.
Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
Thank you so much. Appreciate it.
Brief Answer:
Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting me online.
Take care
Dr Vaishalee
Thanks
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting me online.
Take care
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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