Allergies in Sri Lanka

Allergies cause more than just that morning sneeze, or those itchy rashes.

Expatriates are actually at a greater risk for allergy triggers or contracting new ones due to the change in environment. For expats coming from the other side of the world, the tropical Asian paradise of Sri Lanka may just welcome you with a host of different allergies, too.

What’s your first step into securing your health? Make sure that your international health insurance plan in Sri Lanka covers treatments for allergies.

With Sri Lanka's tropical weather, allergy attacks are most likely to be caused primarily by the weather and the new environment.

Some of the most common allergy triggers in urbanized cities are dust, tobacco smoke, and other pollutants like smoke coming from vehicles. These can cause nasal allergies, that when it reaches serious levels of coughing and congestion can lead to asthma.

Another trigger of nasal allergies is pollen. Molds and dust, which are also common allergy triggers, are present in both rural and urban areas. Molds thrive in a humid environment, and tropical countries like Sri Lanka have this kind of temperature for most of the year.

Food allergies are also rampant in Sri Lanka, and are most likely to affect expatriates as well, due to the exposure to different ingredients used in local cuisine. Sri Lankan cuisine is a fusion of different local herbs, and is characterized by many curry dishes.

Your best bet against allergy attacks in Sri Lanka? Make sure to stay away from foods or triggers that you are already allergic to, have antihistamine accessible to you all the time, and get good private health insurance in Sri Lanka to cover any necessary treatments.