As we head into grass pollen season, which runs from October to December, people are at increased risk of hay fever and asthma. There is also a higher risk of thunderstorm asthma, which causes a large number of people to develop asthma symptoms over a short period of time. It is important to protect yourself this pollen season. The Department of Health has translated resources available, including posters, social media content and brochures in 28 languages
What is thunderstorm asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma is asthma that is triggered by a particular type of thunderstorm when there is a high amount of grass pollen in the air (typically between October and end December).
It can result in people wheezing, feeling short of breath, and tight in the chest with coughing.
This can be sudden, serious, and even life threatening.
For more information visit Thunderstorm asthma on the Better Health Channel website
Get ready for grass pollen season
You can reduce the chance of being affected by thunderstorm asthma.
If you think you may have asthma or hay fever, talk to your doctor.
If you have asthma, see your doctor regularly. Update your asthma action plan, carry your reliever medication and treat any hay fever.
If you experience hay fever, see your doctor or pharmacist about the best treatment and your risk of thunderstorm asthma. Have reliever medication available.
Learn how and when to use your medications properly.
Learn asthma first aid and if you have an asthma action plan make sure you understand what to do if you get an asthma flare or attack.
Check the epidemic thunderstorm asthma forecast on the Vic Emergency website.
Avoid thunderstorms in grass pollen season, especially the wind gusts before the storm. Stay inside and close doors and windows.
Who is at risk?
You are at risk of thunderstorm asthma if you:
⇻ have asthma (or have had asthma in the past)
⇻ have hay fever (allergy affecting the nose) during Spring.
If you feel short of breath, tight in the chest, wheeze or cough during pollen season – you might have undiagnosed asthma.
Asthma first aid can save someone’s life.
Do not wait until asthma is severe to start first aid.
If you think someone is having an asthma attack…
Step 1 – Sit the person upright.
Step 2 – Shake the blue/grey puffer, put 1 puff into a spacer, take 4 breaths from the spacer. Repeat this 4 times.
Step 3 – Wait 4 minutes and repeat step 2 if the person does not feel better.
Step 4 – If the person still does not feel better, call 000. Repeat step 2 every 4 minutes while you wait.
Thunderstorm Asthma Resources
Visit the Environmental Health website for Thunderstorm Asthma resources in the following languages: Arabic, Amharic, Dari, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog, Tamil, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese
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