For many Australians, spring brings sneezing, itchy eyes and, on stormy days, the risk of thunderstorm asthma. Here is what it is, who is at risk and how to protect your home.
Key takeaways
- Thunderstorm asthma can affect people with spring hay fever, even without an asthma diagnosis.
- Good year-round asthma and hay fever management is the best protection.
- On high-risk days, stay inside with windows closed, and use a HEPA air purifier to clean the air that still gets in.
What is thunderstorm asthma?
Thunderstorm asthma happens when high grass pollen levels, storm weather and rain combine. Whole pollen grains are fairly large, so most get trapped in the nose and throat.
Storm conditions break those grains into much smaller fragments, and gusty winds sweep them down to ground level. These fragments can be breathed deep into the lungs, triggering sudden, severe asthma symptoms.
The risk is highest in spring and can continue into December, during the grass pollen season. Peak pollen times vary from state to state.
Who is most at risk?
People strongly allergic to ryegrass pollen are at highest risk, including those who have never been diagnosed with asthma. You may be more vulnerable if you:
- have asthma that gets worse in spring
- are allergic to grass pollen
- get hay fever in spring
- have not been using your asthma preventer
The risk is greatest if you are outdoors in gusty winds just before a storm on a high-pollen day.
Know the warning signs
Hay fever and asthma symptoms can overlap, so it helps to know both.
| Hay fever symptoms | Asthma symptoms |
|---|---|
| Itchy, watery eyes | Coughing |
| Itchy or runny nose | Wheezing |
| Sneezing | A tight feeling in the chest |
| Skin irritation | Shortness of breath |
How to prepare for thunderstorm asthma season
Keeping asthma and hay fever well controlled all year round is the strongest protection. Here is how to get ready, based on guidance from Australian asthma organisations.
Before the season starts
- Review your asthma plan with your doctor, use your preventer as prescribed, and make sure your scripts and medicines are up to date.
- Get your hay fever treated early rather than waiting for symptoms to build.
On high-risk days
- Follow local pollen forecasts and any thunderstorm asthma alerts for your state.
- Stay indoors with doors and windows closed, especially in the lead-up to a storm.
Staying indoors: why the air inside still matters
Staying inside with the windows closed is key on high-risk days, but a closed home is not a sealed one. Pollen still gets in through gaps around doors and windows, each time someone comes and goes, and on clothes, hair and pets. With the windows shut, there is no breeze to clear it.
A HEPA air purifier continuously draws in room air and traps fine airborne particles, including pollen, dust mite allergens and mould spores. HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, far smaller than a whole pollen grain.
In short, you keep the outdoor air out, and the purifier cleans what is already in. It does not replace your preventer or asthma action plan, but it makes home a more comfortable place to shelter.
How the Coway Airmega 350 can help
The Coway Airmega 350 is approved under the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice® program and cleans the air in spaces up to 182 m², ideal for open-plan living areas.
Its 3-in-1 filter (vacuumable Pre-Filter, HEPA and Activated Carbon) traps fine particles such as pollen fragments, while Auto Mode adjusts the fan speed as air quality changes.
| Specification | Coway Airmega 350 |
|---|---|
| Room coverage | Up to 182 m² |
| CADR* | 713 m³/h |
| Filter system | Vacuumable Pre-Filter + HEPA Filter + Activated Carbon Filter |
| Noise level | As low as 21.6 dB |
* CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) is measured according to GB/T standards. Actual performance may vary depending on room conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air purifier prevent thunderstorm asthma?
No. A HEPA air purifier reduces airborne pollen and other particles inside your home, which supports, but does not replace, your preventer and asthma action plan.
When should I run my air purifier?
Throughout pollen season, especially on high-pollen days and whenever a storm is forecast. Auto mode adjusts the fan speed to match indoor air quality.
Where should I place it?
In the room where you spend the most time on high-risk days, such as an open-plan living area, with space around it so air can circulate freely.
Breathe easier this spring
Thunderstorm asthma can strike quickly, but preparation helps. Keep your medicines ready, watch pollen and storm alerts, and make your home a cleaner place to shelter. Explore the Coway Airmega 350, Sensitive Choice® approved and built for Australian open-plan living.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Always follow your personal asthma action plan and speak with your doctor or pharmacist about managing asthma and hay fever.
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