Today is the first day of spring which means not only an increase in asthma and hay fever but also the chance of 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.
That’s why it’s important for people with asthma or hay fever to know about thunderstorm asthma and what they can do to help protect themselves during the grass pollen season.
In Victoria, the grass pollen season runs from October through December.
Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is where many people develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time.
It is thought to be triggered by a unique combination of high pollen levels and a certain type of thunderstorm.
Grass pollen grains get swept up in the wind and carried for long distances, some can burst open and release tiny particles that are concentrated in the wind gusts that come just before a thunderstorm.
These particles are small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs and can trigger asthma symptoms, making it difficult to breathe.
As the season approaches, there are some things you can do to prepare for pollen season:
- 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 hay fever 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.
There are four groups of people at the highest risk during a thunderstorm asthma event – people with asthma, people with respiratory issues such as wheezing, hay fever sufferers and people who had asthma and believed they had the condition under control.
For more information visit the Better Health Channel.