Today marks the first day of the grass pollen season in Victoria, bringing an increase in asthma and hay fever.
During the season, a high grass pollen count and a certain type of thunderstorm can also trigger thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be sudden, serious and even life-threatening.
In Victoria, the grass pollen season runs from October through December. Here are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and those in your care.
If you’ve ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect yourself from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Remember, taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma.
If you have hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hayever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer – which is available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
If you have hay fever, and especially if you experience wheezing and coughing with your hay fever, it is important to make sure you don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor today about whether you might have asthma, and if you do, get an asthma action plan.
It’s important for everyone in the community to know the four steps of asthma first aid so they know what to do if they or someone is having an asthma attack.
And finally, where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October through December – especially in the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it onto recirculate.
Protect yourself this pollen season – managing asthma and allergies matters.
