A public health problem
Allergies on the rise
Identified as the world’s 4th most common chronic illness by the WHO (World Health Organisation), allergies are constantly on the rise. Nowadays, nearly 30% of the population is affected by allergies (compared to 3.8% in 1968). The cause? A combination of different factors like air pollution and the excessive use of chemicals in everyday life, as well as the presence of dust. The most common allergies (excluding food) are caused by pollen and dust mites which cause chronic rhinitis and asthma.