Asthma action plan allergy australia

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. People with asthma experience a narrowing of the airways due to inflammation in the lungs, which blocks the flow of air into and out of the lungs. Asthma is most easily recognised by the following symptoms:

• Wheezing when breathing out.
• Persistent coughing, especially at night.
• Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.
• Tightness and heaviness in the chest.
• Exercise induced wheezing or coughing (exercise induced asthma).

Asthma and anaphylaxis

Asthma, food allergy and high risk of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) frequently occur together and asthma increases the risk of fatal anaphylaxis.

It is therefore important to manage your asthma well, as part of anaphylaxis risk management. If you are using your reliever medication frequently you should make an appointment with your GP to improve your asthma management.

You may be unsure if you are having an asthma attack or anaphylaxis, because wheezing, difficulty breathing and persistent cough can present with anaphylaxis.

It is important to note that the progression and severity of allergic reactions can be unpredictable. Most food related allergic reactions start within 20 minutes or up to two hours after ingestion. Mild to moderate symptoms of allergy may or may not present before symptoms of anaphylaxis.

If you have asthma, have been prescribed an adrenaline (epinephrine) autoinjector and suddenly start to have difficulty breathing:

• Sit down and do NOT stand or walk.
• Use your adrenaline autoinjector FIRST, then use your asthma reliever medication.
• Phone ambulance - 000 (Australia) or 111 (New Zealand).
• Follow your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis, then continue asthma first aid.
• If in doubt, use your adrenaline autoinjector.

© ASCIA 2019

ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.

ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.

For more information go to www.allergy.org.au

To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate

Updated May 2019

Thunderstorm Asthma

It seems reasonable to think that rain would relieve allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and asthma triggered by pollen, by washing pollen out of the air. However, rain from thunderstorms can make some people's symptoms worse.

Around one in four people with allergic rhinitis also have asthma

Pollen can trigger asthma as well as allergic rhinitis symptoms, most often in spring and summer.

Grass pollen can be wind-blown for long distances

Grasses rely on wind to spread pollen grains. Pollen counts will be highest near the source, but strong winds can spread pollen grains over long distances.

Intact pollen grains are usually trapped in the upper airways and do not reach the lungs. Other allergen carrying particles can carry grass and tree pollen allergens. Unlike intact pollen, smaller particles can reach the small airways of the lungs and trigger asthma attacks.

Thunderstorms and weather changes can trigger asthma attacks

Thunderstorm asthma is triggered by massive loads of small pollen allergen particles being released into the air with fast changes in wind, temperature and humidity.

When it rains or is humid, pollen grains can absorb moisture and burst open, releasing hundreds of small pollen allergen particles that can enter the small airways of the lungs.

It is important to note that:

• Not all thunderstorms trigger thunderstorm asthma, even on days with high pollen counts.
• Other weather factors are involved in thunderstorm asthma.
• It is not only people with pollen allergy who may be affected by thunderstorm asthma.
• Other allergens such as fungal spores, massive humidity and temperature changes over a short period of time can affect some people with asthma and other respiratory diseases during a thunderstorm.

Pollen asthma can be treated effectively

If your asthma is triggered by pollens and is worse in spring and summer, see your doctor for advice. It is important to have a current asthma action plan and regularly use preventer medication to manage symptoms.

How to protect from thunderstorm asthma?

Thunderstorms are common in spring so if you have allergic rhinitis try to stay inside just before, during and just after thunderstorms, and on high pollen days.

See your doctor to make sure that allergic rhinitis is well treated.

If you experience symptoms of asthma such as chest tightness, wheeze, shortness of breath, or cough, see your doctor for a plan to manage asthma.

Use preventer medication every day, particularly if high pollen counts or thunderstorms are predicted.

© ASCIA 2022

ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.

ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.

For more information go to www.allergy.org.au

To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate

Updated November 2023

Asthma Issues: Sport, Travel and Pregnancy

Many people with asthma can have breathing difficulty when playing sport. Some people may be concerned about the use of asthma medications when pregnant or travelling.

Exercise asthma can be controlled

Many people with asthma will have symptoms provoked by vigorous exercise. This appears to be due to reflex airway narrowing caused by drying of the airways. It is important to consider whether asthma is well-controlled at other times. For example, a person needing their reliever medication more than twice per week or with peak flow readings less than expected may benefit from regular preventer medication. This may help prevent or manage exercise-induced asthma.

Plan ahead to reduce exercise-induced asthma

The following approaches may help reduce symptoms that occur despite good asthma control at other times:

• Choose your exercise. For example, swimming is less likely to provoke asthma attacks, because warm and moist air is being inhaled. Cycling and running are more likely to provoke symptoms.
• Do warm-up exercises for at least 15-20 minutes before vigorous exercise.
• Wear a mask or balaclava to reduce heat and moisture loss, particularly in winter.
• Use prescribed medicines, including:
  • Short acting relievers and preventer medications prote ct for two to three hours if taken just before exercise.
  • Longer-acting symptom controllers are active for up to 12 hours.
  • Leukotriene antagonists are also effective if taken re gularly.

  Elite athletes can also suffer from asthma

  Even elite athletes can suffer from asthma. They tend to control it with warm-up exercises and careful use of medication. Some asthma medications are approved for use in athletes participating in competitive sport, although many sporting bodies require a doctor's letter confirming that the athlete has asthma.

  Some medications must be declared

  Some medications such as inhaled corticosteroid puffers (inhalers) and leukotriene antagonists are approved as long as they are declared. Oral corticosteroids must be declared and are not allowed within six weeks of competition.

  As regulations change it is important to checkwhich medications are currently banned substances. Athletes competing at state or higher levels of competition should contact their national sporting organisation to obtain additional information.

  Contact the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au or Drug Free Sport New Zealand www.drugfreesport.org.nz for current information.

  Asthma should be controlled during pregnancy

  Some increased shortness of breath during pregnancy is normal, as the baby takes up space in the body, which affects breathing space. Asthma does not normally worsen during pregnancy. However, if it does worsen, it is important to treat asthma. Uncontrolled asthma is a much greater risk to the baby than any theoretical risk of medication.

  There is little evidence that the medications used to treat asthma harm the developing baby in any way, if taken according to the directions.

  Flying with asthma

  Pressurised aircraft have an oxygen pressure around 80 % of normal. This poses no problem to people with controlled asthma. As a rule of thumb, people able to walk 100 metres or climb one flight of stairs without getting puffed should experience no problems. Those experiencing shortness of breath at rest should seek medical advice before flying.

  Be prepared when travelling

  Travellers are often exposed to new infections or high levels of allergens while away from home. This may worsen asthma and increase the need for medication. It is therefore important to:

  • Take enough medications, for expected needs, and more in case increased doses are required.
  • Carry medications in hand luggage to ensure easy access.
  • Check if travel insurance will cover pre-existent ailments.

  With planning, people with asthma can travel, play sport and lead active lives.

  © ASCIA 2019

  ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.

  ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.

  For more information go to www.allergy.org.au

  To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au/donate

  Updated August 2022

  Asthma and Allergy

  Asthma can be triggered by exposure to allergens, infections, exercise, cold air, changes in temperature and smoke. When people have an asthma attack (flare-up), their airways become narrow, which obstructs the flow of air in and out of the lungs, which can be reversed using reliever medications. Most people with asthma can lead normal, active lives if they take regular preventer medications for asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever), to prevent their symptoms.

  Thunderstorm asthma affects some people with asthma and/or alllergic rhinitis (hay fever) when pollen granules come into contact with water, causing starch granules to be released that are small enough to be breathed into the airways.

  Fast Facts

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