Hay fever sucks. And it’s gets worse with climate change… Hay Fever sucks. And it’s gets worse with Climate Change…

By Rebecca Connell

Springtime in Victoria typically inspires thoughts of blossoms in bloom, baby magpies, and bright, sunny days. But it can be tough season given it’s also a time many of us dread: hay fever season.

You likely already know the feeling: All the pollen permeating the air, triggering itchy eyes, dripping noses, wheezing and sneezing. If you have noticed your annual bouts of hay fever have gotten worse, started earlier, or maybe have suddenly started experiencing hay fever for the first time in recent years, you’re not alone.

In 2001 only 15% of Australians experienced hay fever each year, but in 2022 that number had increased dramatically to a whopping 25%!

Recent research has shown that global heating is likely one of the causes of this trend. When we think of the impacts of climate change, we usually default to the increase of unnatural disasters and extreme weather events like heatwaves. But the consequences of climate breakdown are far-reaching and will impact our health in many other ways.

How a changing climate makes hay fever worse

Hay fever, otherwise known as “Allergic rhinitis”, is one such condition that is increasing in severity due to warmer weather and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Back in April this year, researchers in Europe reported that pollen season is now longer thanks to global heating, with pollination of several plant species starting up to two weeks earlier than they did twenty-six years ago.

Here in Victoria, grass pollen season usually starts in October and ends with the New Year. However, many plants get their cue to create pollen when the weather gets warmer. So, as temperatures rise, and our warmer seasons last longer, so too does pollen season.

Conditions such as bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were also reported to increase in severity.

For many, hay fever is a minor annoyance, solved with an antihistamine. But for some, symptoms can be life-threatening. People who often get hay fever in the springtime are at risk of serious conditions such as “Thunderstorm Asthma”, which could lead to hospitalisation or death.

For flora like blossoms, warm weather triggers pollen creation. Warmer climate means pollen season lasts longer.

Victoria and Thunderstorm Asthma

On November 21, 2016, a severe thunderstorm in Melbourne resulted in the world’s largest Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Event. Thousands of people reported to have breathing difficulties, including many who have never experienced asthma symptoms before, putting significant stress on our emergency services. Paramedics responded to an “unprecedented” 1900 emergency calls within five hours. Worse still, several people lost their lives, and many others were hospitalised in a critical condition.

The event triggered a state-wide investigation which led to the development of Victoria’s Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Program to prepare for future events, including warning systems put in place to better forecast and prepare for Thunderstorm Asthma Events. The system was seen in action as recently as 2024, with an event localised in the Albury -Wodonga region.

Thunderstorm Asthma occurs when there is a high concentration of pollen in the air and particular thunderstorm conditions – during 2016 Thunderstorm Asthma event, it was very hot (35C), with strong, gusty winds, and a sudden, sharp drop in temperature that triggered the event. In these conditions, grass pollen grains burst into tiny particles small enough for people to breathe deep into their lungs, triggering an asthmatic response.

Melbourne is a hotspot for Thunderstorm Asthma, thanks to its geography and climate.

In fact, a quarter of recorded Thunderstorm Asthma events reported to have occurred in Melbourne. And, with the frequency of extreme weather increasing thanks to climate change, so too the frequency of these events.

What can I do to stay safe

There are some ways to mitigate your risk come Thunderstorm Asthma and Hay Fever season. Firstly, keep an eye on daily pollen forecasts in your local area. Since 2016, Victoria implemented a network of pollen monitoring stations across the state to help forecast potential events.

Ensuring you have access to allergy medication, asthma puffers, and an asthma action plan (as discussed with your GP) is very important. Surgical face masks are also helpful to help reduce your symptoms should you need to go outside during times of high pollen or thunderstorm asthma risk, however, staying indoors on such days is recommended, especially if you are prone to hay fever or asthma.

Lastly, keeping our leaders accountable in reducing pollution and reaching our climate targets can help mitigate the risk of future events. We still have time to act and avoid the worst outcomes of climate change, including increased Thunderstorm Asthma events. So, by making rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, we can save lives.