As the weather continues to warm up, NSW Health is warning residents of the risk of asthma related to thunderstorms, particularly for people already prone to hay fever and asthma.
Thunderstorm asthma refers to episodes of asthma symptoms which occur when high pollen levels are combined with a thunderstorm.
In NSW, the peak period for a higher risk of thunderstorm asthma is between October and December, when pollen levels are higher and thunderstorms become more common with warmer weather.
Senior Staff Specialist in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Professor Connie Katelaris, explained that thunderstorm asthma requires very specific conditions to occur together.
"We do know that specific thunderstorm conditions related to moisture and airflow can increase people's exposure to high concentrations of very small fragments of pollen," Professor Katelaris said.
"This exposure can trigger symptoms wheeze, chest tightness, breathing difficulty and cough. Symptoms can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening"
In NSW, high levels of rye grass pollen appear to be associated with thunderstorm asthma in some areas.
"Anyone with diagnosed asthma should continue to use their preventor and have access to their reliever medication during this high-risk period," Professor Katelaris said.
"Even if you don't have asthma, pollen is at its highest throughout spring and may spark problems in people with allergies like hay fever or those who have undiagnosed asthma."
Thunderstorm asthma events can occur anywhere where there are both high pollen levels and thunderstorms. The greatest risk of thunderstorm asthma is in areas across southern NSW and the Riverina but events have been recorded west of the dividing range from Tamworth to Albury.
Residents in the Riverina area can register for an automated notification system which notifies registered residents by SMS or email of high thunderstorm asthma risk in the area.
There are some simple steps people can take now to prepare. These include:
- if you have ever been diagnosed with asthma or have hay fever, make sure you have an up-to-date action plan in place, including how you should manage your symptoms if they flare-up.
- if your child has asthma, provide any updated asthma action plans to your child's preschool, childcare centre or school
- check that you or your child's asthma reliever medication and spacer is up-to-date and stored in an easy spot for you to get quickly
- know the warning signs of asthma like wheezing, breathlessness, feeling tight in the chest or persistent cough and when to seek advice from your doctor or urgent emergency care
- when there is high pollen and a thunderstorm, where possible remain inside and keep windows and doors closed.
The symptoms of thunderstorm asthma can escalate very quickly and may become life threatening. These include:
- difficulty breathing, laboured breathing making it difficult to speak in full sentences, or lips turning blue
- asthma reliever medication providing little relief.
In an emergency dial 000 to call an ambulance.
For more information on thunderstorm asthma, visit the NSW Health website.
