Weekly Views

Hayfever Season

(A message from the School Nurse)

Welcome to SPRING and with 

that HAYFEVER Season!

WHAT IS HAY FEVER?

Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which is an allergy that mainly affects the nose but can also affect the eyes, throat, sinuses and ears. It mainly occurs during spring and summer. However, it can occur all year round.

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER:

  • Frequent bouts of sneezing 
  • A runny nose
  • Blocked nose (either one or both nostrils)
  • Itchy ears, nose, throat and roof of the mouth
  • Red, itchy, swollen and/or watery eyes
  • Headaches

WHAT CAUSES HAY FEVER?

  • Pollen (from grasses, flowers and trees)
  • Dust mites
  • Animal fur or hair
  • Mould spore
  • Cigarette smoke

TREATMENT FOR HAY FEVER.

Hay fever cannot be cured but symptoms can be improved by offering relief to your child.

The best way to reduce the frequency of hay fever is to identify what triggers the symptoms and try to avoid or minimise contact with it.

If you are having trouble working out the cause, see your GP. 

Your doctor may suggest using medication to help relieve your child’s symptoms, such as

  • Non-sedating antihistamine (Zyrtec, Claratyne)
  • Low-dose steroid nasal sprays (Nasonex)

Your doctor or pharmacist can give advice on which medication may be best for your child. 

It is important to remember that symptoms tend to persist unless treated. By treating your child before the school day commences, it means that they can get the most out of their learning for that day and not be interrupted by a trip to the sickbay.

 

For more information

 

 

Thunderstorm asthma – be prepared this pollen season

Grass pollen season, which typically runs from October to December each year in Victoria, brings an increase in asthma and hay fever symptoms. It also increases the risk of thunderstorm asthma. For people with asthma or hay fever, especially those who experience wheezing or coughing with their hay fever, thunderstorm asthma can be   sudden, serious and even life threatening.

 Figure 1: Thunderstorm Asthma (Asthma Australia, 2024)

 

Epping Views will implement a range of measures to keep our school community safe as the risk of thunderstorm asthma increases. 

 

Many of our staff are trained in asthma first aid, and we will monitor the VicEmergency app to receive thunderstorm warnings, and, where appropriate, keep students indoors when weather forecasts identify greater risk. 

During the season, there are some things you can do to prepare and protect yourself and your family:

  • If your child has ever had asthma, talk to your doctor about what you can do to help protect them from the risk of thunderstorm asthma this pollen season, including updating your asthma action plan. Taking an asthma preventer properly and regularly is key to preventing asthma, including thunderstorm asthma. 
  • If your child has hay fever, see your pharmacist or doctor for a hay fever treatment plan and check if you should have an asthma reliever puffer. These are available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
  • If your child has hay fever and experiences wheezing and coughing, it is important to make sure they don’t also have asthma. Speak to your doctor about an asthma action plan.   
  • Where possible, avoid being outside during thunderstorms from October to December, especially during the wind gusts that come before the storm. Go inside and close your doors and windows. If you have your air conditioning on, turn it to ‘recirculate’.

Protect yourself this pollen season – managing asthma and allergies matters.

Find out more 

For more information, speak to your doctor. You can also visit the Better Health Channel website. 

 

Catherine O'Brien / Iness Khalil

School Nurse / First Aid