Warning for hay fever sufferers with high pollen levels expected

If you sneezed your way through the last few days, you are not alone. Right now, between 30 to 40 per cent of Perth is suffering with sneezing, itchy-watering eyes and runny noses.

It’s expected there’ll be a high amount of pollen in the air this week, which could prove tricky for people with hay fever, asthma and other lung conditions.

Andrea Jones, a hay fever sufferer said her allergies had been challenging this year with constant itchy-watery eyes and non-stop sneezing.

“Hay fever can be worse at this time of year due to allergic reactions to tree, grass or weed pollen, hot weather and high winds,” Professor Yuben Moodley, a respiratory doctor and researcher, from the Institute for Respiratory Health said.

“It can seriously affect people with lung conditions like asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

“While it can be a mild condition for some, it can be debilitating for others, having an impact on their work and social lives.

“Medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays do help to reduce symptoms but many people don’t realise they need to start taking them in advance of the pollen season,” Professor Moodley said.

“The best thing is to be prepared. If you get hay fever on a regular basis you need to start taking antihistamines up to four weeks before you normally get symptoms.

“And with nasal sprays, it can take up to two weeks before you see results, so you need to start using before the hay fever season begins.

“You need to continue to take these medications on a daily basis. To reduce asthma attacks you should carry your reliever inhaler with you every day and take any preventer or maintenance treatments as prescribed.

Research shows that climate change is also impacting those with hay fever. Many people feel like their allergies have got worse over the years.

“With climate change, we’re seeing earlier springs and later winters,” Professor Moodley said.

“The seasons are getting hotter with more pollen and longer, more intense pollination seasons.”

Professor Moodley’s tips for managing allergic rhinitis during the pollen season include:

• Wear sunglasses to help block some of the pollen getting in your eyes.
• Continue to take your preventer medication for asthma and hay fever, to reduce the likelihood of flare-ups.
• Be aware of high pollen days. There are several pollen monitoring apps and websites including weatherzone.com.au.
• Nasal sprays can help, check out Asthma Australia’s tips on nasal sprays.

Media contact:
Andrea Jones – 0450613460
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