Springing into allergy season

Alfred Health respiratory physician and Allergist Dr Joy Lee said many people will only suffer mild symptoms, however for others it can be incredibly disruptive.

“About one in five people in Melbourne will experience some form of allergy such as hay fever this Spring,” Dr Lee said.

“For most this may result in symptoms such as nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, itching and watery eyes.

“However, some people may be affected more severely, and suffer other consequences such as a reduction in sleep quality, which then affects energy during the day and concentration.”

Dr Lee said the high pollen count in Spring may also lead to an increase in risk of asthma exacerbations.

“Asthma exacerbations are a real worry for us and something we take incredibly seriously,” she said.

“Obviously here in Melbourne we had the epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016 and if there’s one thing, we learned from that, is that it really pays to be prepared.

“If you have asthma or suffer from hay fever, I’d strongly recommend you keep an eye on the pollen count and weather conditions, including being aware of thunderstorm asthma warnings.

“The use of preventative medications, particularly if you typically have more than trivial symptoms is also a good idea. The most effective for allergic rhinitis are intra-nasal steroids which can be purchased over counter at chemists.  

“Before using this medication, consult your pharmacist or GP to make sure it’s appropriate for you and to make sure you’re administering it correctly.

“Patients with asthma are also encouraged to talk to their GP about an asthma preventer inhaler and are recommended to have an asthma action plan in place.”