Pollen counting and forecasting officially starts on Monday, including readings for the second year from Creswick.

Associate Professor Suphioglu said people who had grass pollen allergies were at risk of thunderstorm asthma, in which storms picked up tiny fragments that penetrated deep into people’s lungs when conditions were dry and hot.

He said you do not have to have an existing diagnosis to be at risk and it was important to check in with a doctor or pharmacist to be prepared.

“Although grass pollen is produced from about September onwards, we start to see it in significant numbers in October, with a peak in November,” Associate Professor Suphioglu said.

“While initial forecasts for this season are less severe than 2016, people should not be complacent and every season should be seen as a potential risk for epidemic thunderstorm asthma. Grass is very opportunistic and given the right conditions can grow very quickly.”

One in three Victorians opt to stay inside rather than brave outdoors to avoid hay fever during spring, results from a statewide survey released last week show.

Smythesdale’s Sarah Walkerden has been prone to the sneezing, itchy throat and watery eyes year-round for as long as she can remember but refuses to let the condition control her life.

Ms Walkerden loves her horses, enjoys the country life, as co-owner of One Stop Horse Shop, a key feature of her job involves hay for feed. She is encouraging people to get on top of their symptoms early.

“Horses are my obsession. I don’t want niggling hay fever to ever stop me,” Ms Walkerden said. "As soon as it’s spring, the horses are shedding their coats and fluff is flying everywhere...There are so many types of medication about to help and it’s taken a while for me to find the right ones that help.”

New pollen traps, like in Creswick, were introduced last year to help the Bureau of Meterology better assess days of high risk for people with hay fever and asthma. 

This came as part of a state government response to preventing another thunderstorm asthma epidemic, like that which struck the state in late 2016.

Thunderstorm asthma warnings start Monday at: emergency.vic.gov.au/prepare/#thunderstorm-asthma-forecast.

from Amcal senior pharmacist James Nevile

Scrub up: washing your hands and cleaning your hair each night helps to ensure pollen residue is off your body and away from your nose.

Clean up: make sure your house is free from dust and windows and doors are closed to keep pollen out. It might also help to dry your clothes inside to keep pollen from attaching to them.

Dose up: antihistamines, nasal spray and eye drops can minimise symptoms. Visit your pharmacist for advice.

Rest up: Stress has been linked with increasing hay fever symptoms. Relaxing with a herbal tea with ginger and honey may relieve symptoms, such as congestion and itchiness. Also look into buying allergy-friendly bedding and ensure it is dust free.

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