Pollen Can Trigger 'Thunderstorm Asthma', Even if You Typically Don't Have Asthma

Climate change has led to flooding and other disasters. It can cause more health problems by increasing the amount of pollen in the air.

One in five people are affected byallergic rhinitis, which is caused by pollen grains landing on the nose or eyes. It can lead to a blocked nose and itchy eyes.

People with asthma are more likely to have a flare-up.

Those who haven't been diagnosed with asthma or hayfever can be at risk of triggering thunderstorm asthma.

What is thunderstorm asthma?

A sudden rise in humidity is caused by storms. This can cause grass pollen to break into particles that are small enough to enter the lungs and cause asthma.

A lot of people can be affected by this.

Thousands of people were affected by the largest thunderstorm asthma event in Australia in the summer of 2016 and hospital emergency departments were over- capacity. There were ten deaths from asthma that night.

Who is at risk of thunderstorm asthma?

People who don't have a history of asthma are at higher risk. Some people are more vulnerable to pollen than others. This is included.

People with co-existing allergic conditions are more impacted by pollen than people with single allergic conditions.

How else can pollen cause harm?

Asthma attacks requiring hospitalizations, respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, and reduced lung function can be caused by pollen, even outside of storms.

Additional healthcare costs and poorer physical and mental health can be caused by allergies, despite a low mortality rate.

According to our research, grass pollen can cause a general state of heightened immune responses, leading to increased risk of Eczema Flares in Children.

On days with high levels of grass pollen, children with Eczema experience a higher intensity of itch and rash.

How can you prepare?

What can you do to prepare for the grass pollen season?

• Download your state's emergency services app, such as the Victorian Emergency App, which can provide thunderstorm asthma alerts
• Keep an eye on pollen counts (see below for useful websites)
• Keep doors and windows closed on high pollen days
• Use air purifiers
• Stay indoors during high pollen counts or thunderstorm asthma alerts
• Plant non-allergenic flowers if you have a garden
• Keep wearing a face mask. Masks have shown to be very effective in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and pollen-induced respiratory symptoms
• Take anti-asthma medications. Reliever medications are available over-the-counter. Preventer medications offer much stronger protection but require a prescription from a doctor. They also need to be used preventatively in the setting of pollen-induced asthma, or in severe hay fever, to prevent thunderstorm asthma
• Take antihistamines such as Zyrtec, which can be used both on an as-needed basis or more regularly through the pollen season. However, it does not treat or prevent asthma.

You are at risk of thunderstorm asthma if you suffer from asthma, hayfever, or pollen allergy. Take advantage of warning systems and stay out of the storm, but you should also see your doctor if you have asthma to make sure you don't get sick. The doctor can tell you what to do.

Our own research shows that exposure to pollen can affect the lungs. Asthma attacks can occur a few days after exposure. It isn't too late if you forget to take your medication. If it gets really bad, go to the hospital.

You can find useful daily pollen information on the websites Air Rater or AusPollen.

Three people are working on a project at The University of Melbourne, including a Professor of Medicine and a PhD candidate.

Under a Creative Commons license, this article is re-posted. The original article is worth a read.