Delhi air, or, how to breathe!

Lindsay

This might sound crazy, but I think the air in Delhi gives me headaches. Is this possible? And as of today (ten days since arrival), I also am feeling very congested in the nose and lungs. Smoke/pollution, I suppose?

Does anyone have good tips on how to defray the discomfort/fatigue? Say, recommendations for a common, effective allergy medication I could get from the chemist that would alleviate the congestion/headaches? Alternative remedies also welcome! I guess this is some sort of allergic reaction to the pollutants in the air, but I don't get allergies of any kind back at home, so I'm utterly ignorant on how to handle it.

gaurav1441

Wear the Mask while going out. Aleast some of the pollutants would be filtered.

Medical Consulation in India is not very expensive. You can go to a nearby Clinic and get yourself examined by a professional doctor.

Indojingai

Medical advice is best given by physicians. Delhi has high levels of pollution and suspended particulate matter .. not just pollen but also sand, concrete et al. Staying indoors will be small relief.

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Lindsay

Erm. I already get enough looks being a tall pasty blond in a floppy hat. I think wearing a mask would finish me off!

I guess if the problem worsens, I'll see a doctor, but the last time I had a respiratory problem and decided to see a doctor (four years ago, and in Mumbai, admittedly), I was told a) it was due to the change of seasons, or b) I was allergic to Bombay itself. Both times I was given nameless pills that did nothing but upset my stomach. Hence I thought I'd ask if there was any local wisdom on the boards here (maybe from folks who've had similar reactions in Delhi) before I tried consulting a doctor.

Of course, if you've got a doctor you trust and would like to recommend, that might be helpful, too! If the problem does worsen, I will have to see someone.

namaste_cat

No, not crazy at all, I'm afraid. It happens to me too, one reason I have a tough time in a lot of Indian cities although here I'm very fit and healthy. My sinuses & lungs just can't handle the plethora of stuff that comes at me.

Get a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter for your home/bedroom, so at least for the period you are indoors, your threshold to exposure is lower. Specific suggestions here -- where to buy air purifier

Never tried it so I'm not sure if masks even do much outside, not to mention in the heat, even the better 3M brand ones are stifling.

Good luck! I understanding what you are experiencing, and don't envy you at all. My family & friends must be used to it because they think the air quality is just fine, and I'm just being paranoid.

Lindsay

An air purifier! GENIUS. I will buy one of those directly. Thanks for the suggestion!

dillichaat

Second the air purifier suggestion. Get a good, foreign made one. September is the time of falling leaves here, people burn these at night. When it gets cooler many people living on the streets will start lighting fires with whatever they can find. Combined with the december smog it gets very, very bad I'm afraid.

We arrived in august 2008 and got a purifier for the bedroom, use it only during winter but it makes a huge difference! Forget about masks etc, they won't help anyway, unless you buy a close-fitting gasmask with special particulate filters. That works but it'll make you look like Darth Vader and anyway, you can't wear it all the time.

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sa_ill

Oops India is really going harsh on you. Just to warn you, Diwali is coming up, on Diwali evening, locals play with fire crackers and I swear, all the houses are filled with smoke. Better get that air purifier soon. Diwali in somewhere during early mid October.

Lungs of us Indians are used to this quality of air, it barely affects us lol. I know people living in the dirtiest areas of Delhi and going on to live till they're 90. So you dont need to really worry about it, you'll grow into the smoke, or probably the smoke will grow into you!!

But do get that air purifier....since your lungs aint accustomed to the stuff we breathe in!

All the best!

worthyquest

you might want to try a combination of a salt water nasal spray or a neti pot (originally ayurvedic!) to keep your sinuses clean and an expectorant (in the states i would say mucinex) to keep the junk from settling in your lungs and making you really sick.

i've known other people who have had bad reactions to the pollution... headaches, etc. hope you start to feel better eventually.

camelgirl

The air in Delhi is horrible. I always get major congestion & sinus problems. You've already gotten good advice, so I'm only adding my "misery loves company" post! Actually, all the cities are a problem for me & even the countryside when it's dry & dusty. Not a problem at home either.

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KateW

Headaches. Humm !! I have had recent headaches and the kids as well. We are used to the Delhi pollution so I assumed it was a virus.
If it carries on we will go to see a doctor but in our case, why else would four of us suddenly start getting headaches??

The congestion is the pollution. We get that often!! As do our visitors. Eyes get sore, earache and congestion.

Max Healthcare is a good bet for medical advice.

You can also go to any chemist and ask for decongestants and they do tend to help.

Lindsay

Thanks, guys. Have lived in Delhi before (and survived Diwali no problem!), but just didn't remember it being this bad. I will try all your suggestions.

dillichaat

Additional note on the air purifier thing: When buying one, get a load of filters at the same time. Last year I foolishly purchased mine and explicitly asked if they'd continue carrying the filters. Answer was a resounding 'yes, we alway have them'.

I should have known......

Went back yesterday to get filters and of course, the air purifiers they have in now are a different model and they no longer carry the filters for the model I have. I talked to the same guy who had assured me that they'd continue carrying them and of course he denied ever having said that...and tried to sell me another purifier to boot. Guess I'll have to import the filters now.

Morale of the story: buy everything at once or don't buy at all, if they assure you they'll keep carrying the filters, treat that the same way you should treat any statement by a shopkeeper in India: with suspicion