A new report published this week suggests that in 21st Century Britain, one in five people has an allergy to something in the air such as pollen or dust, which can be made worse by the pollution around us. Up to 12 million people suffer from airborne allergies, but within this category, the area that has so far gone largely untreated is the most severe.

'Late stage' symptoms of nasal congestion, obstruction, pressure and a sense of grogginess, which often lead to general lethargy, irritability or sleep problems are the long lasting persistent symptoms of allergic rhinitis that are hard to shake. It is this level of suffering affecting people at work and at play, that, as it has so far gone mainly untreated, could be defined as '21st Century Syndrome'. And as the number of airborne allergy sufferers is increasing by an incremental 5% every year, this is a real issue for the UK.

The report, compiled to coincide with the introduction through pharmacists of Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray, goes on to reveal that:

• Productivity levels of sufferers are reduced by up to 40% if symptoms are not managed, a significant problem for UK business as well as the individual.
• Of those that currently self-treat their allergies (and there are many more who don't even recognise they have a problem beyond a supposed 'flu or a cold') only 26% feel their symptoms are well or completely controlled.
• Medical consultations have risen by 38% at times when ozone levels in and around London rise.

Causes for '21st century syndrome' may lie partially with house dust mites, which live in centrally heated homes, with fitted carpets, thick furnishings and draft free double glazing- often blamed for the rise in airborne allergies. Pollen and flakes of pet skin and hair (animal dander) also play a role and air pollution makes symptoms worse too, potentially affecting every element of ones day, waking and sleeping, or even preventing the pursuit of some seemingly simple activities.