Spring has sprung. It’s time to shrug off the winter weight doona and handwash-only woollens and enjoy the warmer weather, blossoming flowers and outdoor catch-ups with friends.
Unless of course you’re one of the many Australians who suffer from asthma or hay fever, then spring is the season of wheezing, sneezing and reaching for the antihistamines.
In Australia, around one in 10 people have asthma and nearly one in five people suffer from allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as ‘hay fever’. Asthma is characterised by breathlessness, wheezing, a tight feeling in your chest and a persistent cough, while hay fever results in a blocked nose, sneezing and watery eyes.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around 80 percent of people with asthma also suffer from hay fever, while between 15 percent and 30 percent of people with hay fever also have asthma.
Whether you suffer from asthma or hay fever (or both), your symptoms will probably flare up in spring. Here’s why.
1. Pesky pollen.
During spring we are exposed to more airborne allergens like grass and tree pollen. This is exacerbated during thunderstorms when the pollen breaks into smaller pieces that are easier to inhale. For some people, the allergen reacts with specific antibodies causing an allergic reaction. For people with asthma, it can result in more frequent attacks.
The pesky pollen also confuses our bodies. During winter, our immune system doesn’t have to deal with these allergens, so when spring arrives it goes into overdrive, producing lots of antibodies and causing sufferers to feel like they’ve got a bad cold.
2. Change in temperature.
Spring transitions us from the cold of winter to the heat of summer, and that transition isn’t always smooth. When the weather becomes warm and moist, fungi release microscopic spores into the air which can trigger some people’s allergies. When the mould spore lands on the sensitive lining of your nose or in your eyes, it can cause an allergic reaction resulting in incessant sneezing, itchy eyes and asthma.
3. Dust.
Hay fever and asthma symptoms can be triggered by inhaling dust. House dust contains compounds including dust mites, dirt, fibres, smoke, hair and insects along with pollen grains and mould spores. I know, gross. House dust mites make up a big part of house dust and they live in your mattress, pillows, carpets and upholstered furniture. While we have these items in our homes all year round, dust mites thrive in humid weather so are more prevalent in spring. Our tendency to ‘spring clean’ may also expose us to more house dust and trigger allergies.
There is nothing worse than lying in bed with a red raw nose and feeling short of breath while your Instagram feed is full of people enjoying the warmer weather. If you’re a springtime sneezer or wheezer, make sure you speak to your pharmacist about your treatment options. Allergic rhinitis can be treated with nasal sprays and antihistamines. For people with asthma, knowing how to correctly use your inhaler and taking medications as prescribed can make a huge difference.
Don’t suffer through spring - get expert advice to take control of your allergies and asthma.
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This content was created with thanks to our brand partner TerryWhite Chemmart.
Because your health is our priority, we offer a number of different health services right here in the pharmacy. Our approachable and accessible pharmacists also provide professional assistance for many different health and wellbeing issues. TerryWhite Chemmart, helping to keep you Alive & Well.