If you have spring hay fever but have never been diagnosed with asthma, you may not realise that thunderstorm asthma can still affect you. Breathing symptoms during spring, such as wheezing, coughing or chest tightness, are worth discussing with a GP rather than putting them down to hay fever alone. This guide explains who may be at risk, what thunderstorm asthma is, how to prepare, and when to seek care.
Key Takeaways
- Thunderstorm asthma requires a specific combination of high pollen levels and certain thunderstorm conditions.
- People with seasonal grass-pollen hay fever can be affected even without a prior asthma diagnosis.
- NSW’s higher-risk period is generally October to December, though risk depends on conditions, not the calendar alone.
- Preparation includes reviewing your medicines, knowing your action plan, and staying across pollen and weather forecasts.
- Severe breathing symptoms require emergency assistance; call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
What Is Thunderstorm Asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma refers to asthma symptoms triggered when particular thunderstorm conditions coincide with high grass-pollen concentrations. During certain storm conditions, grass pollen particles may become smaller and easier to inhale into the lower airways, which can trigger asthma symptoms in susceptible people.
In some people with grass-pollen sensitivity, this may trigger asthma symptoms for the first time, even if they have not previously been diagnosed with asthma.
Not every thunderstorm creates these conditions, and not everyone with hay fever will be affected. Events are uncommon, but when they do occur, they can affect a large number of people at once.
Who Is Most at Risk?
People most relevant to this topic include:
- Adults with seasonal hay fever, even without an asthma diagnosis, particularly those sensitive to grass pollen
- People with current or previous asthma, especially if symptoms are not currently well managed
- People who notice wheezing, coughing or chest tightness during spring but have never had this assessed
- Children and adults with diagnosed asthma whose management may need reviewing for the season
Being an outdoor worker or spending time outside during the higher-risk season does not increase your biological sensitivity, but it can increase your exposure if you are outdoors when high pollen and storm conditions coincide.
When Is the Higher-Risk Period in NSW?
NSW’s higher-risk period is generally October to December, when high grass-pollen levels and the right thunderstorm conditions are more likely to coincide. This does not mean every storm during these months presents the same risk; events depend on specific weather and pollen conditions, not the date alone.
Historically, southern NSW and the Riverina have seen the greatest concentration of recorded events, though events can occur elsewhere when conditions align. Keeping an eye on local pollen forecasts and severe weather warnings during these months is a practical way to stay aware of conditions near you.
What Symptoms Should You Watch For?
Hay fever symptoms typically include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes.
Asthma symptoms are different. They include:
- Wheezing
- Persistent coughing
- Chest tightness
- Breathlessness
These symptoms can overlap, and it is not always straightforward to tell them apart without assessment. New or worsening breathing symptoms during spring deserve attention rather than being assumed to be hay fever alone.
How Can You Prepare This Spring?
Review Your Asthma Medicines and Action Plan
If you have diagnosed asthma, spring is a practical time to check that your management is still appropriate. Confirm that your inhaler technique is correct, that your prescribed reliever medicine is accessible, and that you have a current written Asthma Action Plan. Asthma treatment is individually prescribed, so avoid assuming what works for someone else applies to you.
Don’t Dismiss Hay Fever or New Breathing Symptoms
If you experience wheezing, coughing or chest tightness alongside spring hay fever, even without an asthma diagnosis, this is worth discussing with your GP. Managing hay fever appropriately is a useful step, but it is not a substitute for an individually assessed asthma management plan if one is needed.
Check Pollen and Weather Forecasts
During the higher-risk months, check pollen forecasts and severe weather warnings when storms are expected. When high pollen and a relevant storm are forecast together, staying indoors with windows and doors closed, particularly during the gusty period before a storm, can help reduce exposure. Setting air conditioning to recirculate, where available, may also help.
Prepare Children and Outdoor Plans
For children with diagnosed asthma, confirm that their action plan is current and that their school or childcare service has a copy along with their prescribed medicines and spacer. If you would like background on recognising asthma in children and current treatment approaches, our childhood asthma guide covers this in detail. If you are planning outdoor activities during the higher-risk season, keep forecasts in mind when making decisions.
If you have asthma or spring breathing concerns, a GP can review your symptoms, medicines and asthma management plan before the higher-risk season. Get in touch to arrange a suitable time.
What Should You Do if Symptoms Develop?
If you have an Asthma Action Plan, follow it. Use your prescribed reliever medicine as directed and monitor how your symptoms respond.
Severe symptoms require emergency care. Signs of a medical emergency include:
- Severe or rapidly worsening difficulty breathing
- Difficulty speaking in full sentences
- Blue, grey or pale lips or skin
- Little or no improvement after using a reliever inhaler
If any of these are present, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Follow asthma first-aid steps while waiting for help. Do not wait to see whether symptoms settle on their own.
When Should You Speak With a GP?
A routine GP appointment is appropriate if:
- You have spring wheezing, coughing or chest tightness but have never been assessed for asthma
- Your existing asthma feels harder to control than usual
- You are unsure whether your prescribed medicines or inhaler technique are correct
- Your Asthma Action Plan is out of date, or you do not have one
- You had a recent asthma episode and want a follow-up review
A GP can review your symptoms and medicines, check your inhaler technique, and consider whether breathing tests or further assessment may be appropriate for your situation.
If your breathing symptoms are severe or worsening, do not wait for a routine appointment; call 000.
FAQs
Can you get thunderstorm asthma without ever having asthma?
Yes. People without a previous asthma diagnosis can be affected, particularly those with seasonal grass-pollen hay fever. New or worsening breathing symptoms during spring are worth discussing with a GP.
Does every thunderstorm in NSW cause thunderstorm asthma?
No. Thunderstorm asthma requires specific weather conditions alongside high pollen concentrations. Not every storm during the higher-risk season carries the same level of risk.
Is managing hay fever enough to prevent thunderstorm asthma?
Managing hay fever is a useful step, but it is not a guarantee. People with suspected or diagnosed asthma may need an individually assessed management plan as well.
Should my child’s school have a copy of their Asthma Action Plan if they have asthma?
Yes. Children with diagnosed asthma should have a current, individual Asthma Action Plan, with a copy provided to their school or childcare service along with their prescribed medicines.
When does thunderstorm asthma season start in NSW?
The higher-risk period in NSW is generally October to December, when high grass-pollen concentrations and appropriate thunderstorm conditions are more likely to occur together.
Get Ready for Spring
Understanding your risk, keeping your asthma or hay fever management up to date, and knowing what to do if symptoms develop are the most practical steps you can take before the season begins.
If you have spring breathing concerns, whether you have diagnosed asthma or hay fever that may have gone unassessed, our GPs at Clarence Town Healthcare can discuss your symptoms, risk factors and preparation options. Book a GP appointment to discuss your asthma, hay fever or spring breathing concerns.
References and Further Reading
- NSW Health — Thunderstorm Asthma — statewide risk, seasonality, symptoms and precautions.
- Asthma Australia — Thunderstorm Asthma — risk factors, seasonal preparation, medicines and exposure reduction.
- Healthdirect Australia — Thunderstorm Asthma — plain-language symptoms, assessment, management and forecast information.
- National Asthma Council Australia — Asthma First Aid — Australian asthma emergency signs and medicine-specific first-aid resources.