Thunderstorm asthma season is here: are you prepared?
A Monash Health Allergist is urging people with hay fever and asthma to prepare for an increased risk of thunderstorm asthma.
Thunderstorm asthma is a rare but potentially life-threatening weather phenomenon that occurs during spring and early summer, when specific storm conditions cause grass pollen to break into tiny particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs.
‘Thunderstorm asthma is a unique event that occurs in springtime, where we get a sudden explosion of grass pollen count due to a thunderstorm immediately prior,’ said Dr Sara Barnes, head of Monash Health’s Allergy Unit.
‘We need a storm front, high wind and also some dryness prior, so the grass pollens can be aerosolized.’
The condition is particularly relevant in Victoria, where high spring pollen counts make Melbourne one of the world’s recognised hotspots for hay fever and thunderstorm asthma.
Who is most at risk?
People with asthma, especially if it is not well controlled, are at the highest risk of experiencing severe symptoms during a thunderstorm asthma event.
People with hay fever, particularly those allergic to grass pollens such as ryegrass, are also at increased risk.
But not everyone knows they are at risk prior to a thunderstorm asthma event.
In 2016, 9 people died when Melbourne suffered the world’s worst epidemic thunderstorm asthma event.
During that event, thousands of people experienced respiratory distress, including some people experiencing asthma-like symptoms for the first time.
‘Some people get thunderstorm asthma when they’ve never had asthma before because they have an allergy to grass pollens,’ Dr Barnes said.
‘When grass pollens are exposed to water, they explode and release microparticles which can get into the lungs.’
You can protect yourself by monitoring the forecast and staying indoors during a storm.
Around one in 5 Victorians claim to get hay fever and about one in 10 Australians have asthma.
How to prepare
Dr Barnes recommends taking steps now to prepare, before a thunderstorm asthma event occurs.
‘It’s important to have your medications for asthma on hand, review your asthma action plan and start your hay fever treatment, if appropriate,’ she said.
Her top preparation tips:
- Visit your GP to review or develop an asthma action plan.
- Ensure asthma medications and puffers are up to date and readily available.
- Start hay fever treatment early, including nasal steroid sprays if recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
- Download the Melbourne Pollen app and the VicEmergency app for the latest forecast.
For mild hay fever symptoms, which can include sneezing, coughing and an itchy nose, eyes and throat, antihistamine tablets are a common treatment.
But nasal sprays, including a corticosteroid or anti-inflammatory spray, may be needed for more moderate cases.
Dr Barnes said hay fever symptoms should not be ignored.
‘If you do get springtime hay fever, now is the time to start treatment,’ she said.
‘Nasal steroids are a very good medication to help prevent your hay fever from really taking off, particularly in October and November, but you do need to start them now.’
Those with symptoms should speak to their general practitioner about what treatment might be right for them and if they should be referred to an allergist.
When to seek urgent medical help
Anyone whose asthma symptoms are worsening or not responding to their usual treatment should follow their asthma action plan and seek medical advice.
‘If you’re ever not sure and you are short of breath, call Triple Zero (000) or attend the emergency department,’ said Dr Barnes.
The importance of preparation was highlighted during Victoria’s devastating 2016 thunderstorm asthma event, which placed extraordinary pressure on emergency services and resulted in several deaths.
‘Thunderstorm asthma is something we should take quite seriously,’ Dr Barnes said.
‘If we can prevent an asthma exacerbation, it would decrease the need for emergency healthcare services and hopefully save a life.’
Pharmacists can also give advice and dispense medications during a thunderstorm asthma event.
Dr Barnes said desensitisation can also be a good way to prevent thunderstorm asthma.
‘In some people, this can be very beneficial,’ she said.’
‘We can desensitise to grass pollens with tablets and injections. Speak to your general practitioner about whether this could be appropriate for you.’
As pollen levels begin to rise across Victoria, now is the time to make sure you, your family and your asthma management plan are ready for the season ahead.
