Spring Feature

Asthma and Allergy

For those people who suffer from asthma and allergy, it is a time to be aware of allergen exposure. Allergens are common asthma triggers, and where appropriate, you may benefit from simple avoidance strategies that you can practise every day.

Advice on effective strategies is an essential part of managing allergic asthma.

Indoors
	if you are allergic to dust mite, you should consider ways to reduce house dust mite in your home. Make sure you encase mattresses and pillows in mite-proof covers. Your pharmacist can advise on this. Remove soft furry toys and soft furnishings, if possible. Soft toys can be placed in the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.
	Wash your bedclothes weekly in hot water (over 55°). Shake and air pillows and quilts in the sun weekly. (Except for days with high pollen counts as pollen may adhere to material.)
	When you are cleaning, wear a mask and dust with a damp or electrostatic cloth.
	Rather than vacuuming, use a wet or electrostatic mop or consider installing a ducted or well-filtered vacuum-cleaning system.
Outdoors
	People with asthma are commonly allergic to airborne pollen grains from grasses, trees and weeds. For the keen gardener, imported grasses, weeds and trees that are wind pollinated may cause airborne allergens.
	Airborne allergens tend to worsen asthma symptoms during the pollen seasons, including Spring, Summer and the dry season in tropical regions, and following thunderstorms.
Note: Australian native plants are less likely to cause allergies, as are highly flowered plants because they produce less pollen (transported by bees) than wind-pollinated plants. Also remember that pollens can travel many kilometres from their source.
Avoiding Pollens
	Some tips for avoiding pollens, particularly when the pollen count is high, are as follows: remain indoors as much as possible before midday during the pollen season, on windy days and after thunderstorms; avoid activities known to cause allergen exposure, such as grass-mowing, taking picnics in parks; wash hands and face frequently and/or shower after outdoor activities; and remove known allergens from areas close to the house, such as outside windows.
	Pollen counts are often provided in various electronic and print media during Spring and Summer.
Spring Activities So while you are compiling the house and garden Spring cleaning checklist you should also put some thought into your own asthma wellbeing checklist.
	At Home Clean the curtains and blinds* Steam clean the carpet* Discard old clothes
	In the Garden Clean out the garage* Paint the outdoor furniture* Dry mulch the garden*
*Don't forget to use a protective mask, clothing and gloves as appropriate.

Spring Asthma Wellbeing Checklist

If you answer yes to all the questions below, fantastic! You are probably very well prepared for Spring. If you answer no to any question, now is the time to take action and make an appointment with your GP.

Do I have a Written Asthma Action Plan?
Is my Written Asthma Action Plan up-to-date and easy to find?
Are all my asthma medications up-to-date?
- Reliever medication (bronchodilators)
- Preventer medication (anti-inflammatory agents)
- Symptom controllers (long-acting relievers)
- Combination medications (preventer plus symptom controller)

Written Asthma Action Plans

Written Asthma Action Plan Templates

There are many different written asthma action plans available. The asthma action plan chosen should be appropriate for the person’s age, educational status, language and culture.