Ah, springtime: lambs are frolicking in the fields, the chill of winter is beginning to dissipate, and almost one in five Australians may consider scratching out their (itching, watering) eyes to avoid the dreaded symptoms of hay fever.
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, can occur throughout the year, whenever allergens such as dust mites, mold, or specific pollens are present.
Those who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis are concerned, however, that the continuous rainfall along the East Coast will result in above-average pollen generation and an especially sneezy spring.
Associate Prof. Ed Newbigin, the coordinator of the Melbourne Pollen Count, predicts that if these conditions persist over the next few months, Sydney will likely experience a higher grass pollen season than last year, while Canberra and Melbourne’s pollen seasons may be comparable to 2021.
“However, 2021 was one of the worst grass pollen seasons in Canberra, so stating it will be comparable won’t provide much solace to those with hay fever and asthma,” he says.
Last year, Melbourne experienced an average-ish grass pollen season, and this season is currently tracking similarly.
Because subtropical grasses tend to bloom later than temperate grasses (in late summer and early fall), Newbigin thinks it is premature to comment on Brisbane’s season, which won’t reach its peak until next year.
“The current Indian Ocean dipole and the Bureau of Meteorology’s prediction of a 70% possibility of another La Nia season indicate that the eastern portion of Australia will likely have above-average rainfall from September to November,” adds Newbigin.
While a wet spring should result in abundant grass growth and grass pollen, forecasts are not guaranteed, and it is expected that grass pollen levels may vary widely across eastern Australia’s regions.
Get a diagnosis
Sinthia Bosnic-Anticevich, a professor at the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, advises anyone experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms to get a medical diagnosis. Up to 40% of persons with allergic rhinitis have asthma, and 80% of those with asthma also have allergic rhinitis, which can impair asthma symptom control if left untreated or managed sub-optimally.
She also cautions that the issue is frequently misdiagnosed in children.
In a recent study of more than 1,500 Australian parents, the researcher and respiratory pharmacist discovered that children’s sleep, schoolwork, and daily life decreased when allergic rhinitis was poorly treated.
Children frequently experience runny noses, sneezes, colds, etc., according to Bosnic-Anticevich, so this is maybe not surprising. It can be difficult to distinguish between cold symptoms and allergic rhinitis.
However, the appropriate treatment may be “life-changing.”
If a kid is suffering repeated cold-like symptoms, parents must seek guidance and possibly a diagnosis.
Find the appropriate therapy
Before beginning any treatment, Bosnic-Anticevich recommends discussing with a pharmacist or physician, adding that many adults choose their over-the-counter drug despite its low efficacy.
“Most persons who seek medical care have moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis or indicate that it affects their daily lives in some way. 70% of patients choose their medication without assistance from a pharmacist.
“Unfortunately, less than 20% of patients choose the best drug.”
According to Bosnic-Anticecevich, the majority chose antihistamine tablets as their first-line treatment, regardless of the severity of their symptoms.
“In actuality, only a very small percentage of individuals will derive maximum benefit from oral antihistamine tablets, and this tends to initiate a cycle of pharmaceutical trials and errors, resulting in inadequate treatment of allergic rhinitis.
We would predict that the majority of patients whose allergic rhinitis affects their daily lives would be treated with intranasal sprays containing antihistamines, anti-inflammatory agents, or a combination of both.
Dr. Kerry Hancock, a general practitioner in Adelaide who specializes in respiratory medicine, recommends patients who are already taking nasal sprays read the directions carefully.
“It is of the utmost importance that those who use nasal sprays do so carefully to obtain the greatest benefit and minimize negative effects. Many patients stop using nasal steroid sprays because of nosebleeds, however, this is generally due to improper administration of the sprays.
For patients who do not respond to over-the-counter drugs, general practitioners can also test stronger medications.
Those with severe allergies may also be referred to an allergy immunotherapy specialist.
“Those with more unpleasant and/or chronic symptoms would benefit from allergy testing, which may be arranged very readily by their general practitioner through blood tests or referrals for skin prick tests,” says Hancock.
Have a strategy
Doctors might also create action plans if symptoms worsen. Hancock observed that individuals with seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma, or both are at a greater risk for the rare, but potentially fatal, thunderstorm asthma.
Prof. Simon Haberle, director of the Canberra Pollen Monitoring Program, explains that while allergenic pollen can have serious health effects, there is a growing amount of information available to help allergic rhinitis and asthma patients manage the risks.
AirRater and Pollen Forecast are examples. In addition, the Victorian Government offers asthma materials in different languages and a risk projection from October to December.
By heeding your doctor’s recommendations and monitoring daily pollen counts, you can significantly enhance your health,” Haberle says.
Who is at fault?
According to Haberle, the majority of plants that cause allergic rhinitis were introduced to Australia for pastures and urban environments during colonization.
“The primary offender in the southern temperate regions of Australia is ryegrass (Lolium perenne), which blooms between October and December and reaches its peak in November.” Living away from fields is no guarantee of safety. According to Haberle, allergenic grasses can be produced in abundance and transported tens of kilometers.
According to Haberle, trees containing allergenic pollen include cypress pines, ash, birch, plane, poplar, elm, and oak, in addition to the local casuarina species.
The climate issue may also reduce the predictability of flowering seasons.
“Our monitoring data are limited, but there are indications that grass pollen seasons are beginning earlier and producing significantly more pollen,” Haberle says. These two patterns are consistent with studies of shifting pollen seasons in the northern hemisphere and have been connected to the effects of climate change.
