Abstract

Study Design : Pilot Study
Purpose : To find association of allergens in children with allergic conjunctivitis
Methods : After obtaining consent/assent, subjects underwent skin prick test (SPT). It is a minimally invasive test routinely done in children with asthma. Skin pricks made were applied over dorsal aspect of the arm for specific allergens. 4 category of common allergens were tested.
Results : A total of 35 children underwent SPT. Among them 19 (54.28%) tested positive for allergens and most had more than one allergen positive. Tests were positive for insect allergens- cockroach(11), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus(6), Prosopis(6); animal-related allergens- dog dander(7), cat dander(4); food-related allergens- egg-white(1), milk(5), soya(3), ground-nut(2), corn(2), fish(3), wheat(1); plant-related allergens- Sorghum halepense(6), Alternaria Tenuis(5), Parthenium(2).
Conclusion : Insect related allergens (23) and among all allergens cockroach (11) was the most common allergen.