What is pollen allergy?

Pollen is made up of fine grains released from grasses, weeds and trees. It is carried by the wind. The amount of pollen in the air changes according to the season and where you live.

Some people are allergic to pollen, meaning the pollen makes their immune system react. If they breathe in pollen, they can get inflamed nasal passages (called hay fever or allergic rhinitis).

Pollen can also cause inflammation in your lungs and lead to asthma symptoms. Sometimes pollen can trigger asthma in people who have never had it before, especially after a thunderstorm. This is known as thunderstorm asthma.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are very common in Australia, and people with pollen allergy may experience symptoms for many months. This will depend on where you live and the types of pollen you are allergic to.

What are the symptoms of pollen allergy?

Pollen allergy can cause:

• runny, itchy or blocked nose
• sneezing
• itchy, watery, red eyes
• itchy ears, throat and mouth
• wheeze
• cough

Allergic rhinitis caused by pollen allergy can lead to sinus infections and poor sleep.

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What causes pollen allergy?

Risk factors for pollen allergy include:

• a family history of pollen allergy
• eczema
• other allergies

When should I see my doctor?

If you have allergic rhinitis or asthma symptoms, or if your hay fever medicines don't seem to be working, talk to your doctor about whether pollen allergy could be the cause.

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How is pollen allergy diagnosed?

If you think you have a pollen allergy, talk to your doctor. Allergy testing can help you learn whether you are allergic to pollen.

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How is pollen allergy treated?

Treatments for allergic rhinitis symptoms

If you have pollen allergy, antihistamines can help control symptoms. It is usually best to choose an antihistamine that does not make you drowsy. You can take antihistamines by mouth or through a nasal spray.

You can also use a saltwater nasal spray to relieve your symptoms.

If you have eye symptoms, you can use saltwater or antihistamine eye drops.

If the antihistamine is not helping, you may need to use a corticosteroid nasal spray. You can use this daily to prevent symptoms. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully and speak to your pharmacist if you're not sure how to use it.

Some nasal sprays contain a combination of antihistamine and corticosteroid medicines to both treat and prevent symptoms.

Don't use decongestant tablets or sprays for pollen allergy. They may relieve a blocked nose, but after a few days they can make symptoms worse. They can also affect your blood pressure and your heart.

Other treatments

If pollen allergy is causing asthma symptoms, it is especially important to keep your asthma under control. Your doctor may prescribe you a preventive asthma medicine to take daily, especially during times of the year when your symptoms get worse.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend allergen immunotherapy to help 'switch off' your allergy to certain pollens.

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Living with pollen allergy

If you have a pollen allergy, the best thing you can do is to avoid being around pollen.

It's hard to avoid pollen completely, but you can reduce your exposure by:

• avoiding going outside in windy or stormy weather
• protecting your eyes with sunglasses when you're outdoors
• showering when you arrive home and rinsing your eyes with water
• keeping car windows closed and using recirculating air conditioning in the car
• avoiding mowing grass

Depending on how severe your symptoms are, they may affect your sleep, work, school or daily activities.

If you are exposed to pollen, wash your hands, rinse your eyes with clean water and take an antihistamine as needed.

What are the complications of pollen allergy?

Pollen allergy may result in disturbed sleep. This can lead to tiredness during the day, headaches and poor concentration.

Pollen allergy also makes asthma harder to control.

Can pollen allergy be prevented?

There is no known way to prevent pollen allergy from developing. It has been suggested that breastfeeding and being exposed to pets as a baby may help prevent allergy, but this has not been proven.

Resources and support

• Read more about pollen allergy on the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) website.
• Find information about plants that cause allergic rhinitis, and when they flower in Australia, on the ASCIA website.
• Find the pollen forecast for your area on the Pollen Forecast website.
• You can use the AirRater application, which helps monitor pollen levels across Australia.
• Get information about controlling your asthma from Asthma Australia.
• The Victorian Government has a fact sheet on thunderstorm asthma available in many community languages.
• Find an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) or Affiliate near you.