Health Centre News  

Extreme warnings have been issued across Melbourne due to the high pollen count and current thunderstorm forecast.  Thunderstorm asthma is something we have become familiar with and is caused by a potent mix of pollen and weather conditions that can trigger severe asthma symptoms in a large number of people over a short period of time. 

Thunderstorm asthma may occur when a storm strikes on a hot and windy day during pollen season (early October - late December), when there are high levels of pollen in the air combined with a certain type of weather event.

When a storm front hits, the pollen grains absorb the moisture and burst into tiny particles. The thunderstorm winds blow the particles down to ground level, where they can be inhaled deep inside the lungs and trigger a serious asthma flare-up.  Weather conditions like these can also lead to breathing problems being experienced not only by people with asthma but those who have seasonal hay fever. People who wheeze and sneeze with hay fever from pollens during spring are most likely to be affected, even if they have not been diagnosed with asthma before. 

Who is most at risk of thunderstorm asthma? 

Those at increased risk of thunderstorm asthma include people with both asthma and seasonal hay fever, as well as those with past or undiagnosed asthma. People with seasonal spring hay fever who have never had asthma are also at risk. Thunderstorm asthma can affect people living in metropolitan, regional or rural areas, even if they don't have a history of asthma.

The best way to treat thunderstorm asthma is to try to avoid it happening: 

• See your doctor about your child’s hay fever and/ or asthma and get a treatment plan sorted out in time for spring. If your child needs to have medication at school, notify the school nurse.
• If you  or your child have asthma or have experienced breathing problems, see your doctor for an asthma and lung health review
• Take your regular daily asthma preventer medication, if  prescribed one
• Ask your doctor for an up-to-date personal asthma action plan and follow it. Provide a copy of your child’s asthma plan to the school with their Ventolin and spacer and speak to your child’s teacher or the school nurse to keep us up to date with how your child is managing
• Know the signs of worsening asthma and the asthma first aid steps

• Visit Asthma Australia for further information
• For thunderstorm asthma forecasts and alerts in Victoria go to the Vic Emergency Website
• For up-to-date pollen counts visit the AusPollen website

If you have any concerns, please contact me any time. 

Thank you. 

Nurse Cecile