Thousands of hay fever sufferers are warned to stay indoors for a WEEK as ‘extreme’ pollen levels surge

Health
By Liam

By Aisling Brennan for Nca Newswire

Published: | Updated:

Victorians suffering from hay fever have been warned to stay indoors until Thursday as extreme pollen levels sweep the state.

Melbourne Pollen warned on Friday that a warmer than average spring and prevailing winds are likely to lead to higher grass pollen levels.

Leading pollen expert Dr Edwin Lampugnani, from the University of Melbourne’s school of biosciences, told 3AW on Friday that people with hay fever should be cautious and may need to stay indoors until Thursday.

It is estimated that one in five Australians suffer from hay fever.

“If you are allergic to grass pollen, it is definitely recommended,” Dr. Lampugnani said.

Victorians suffering from hay fever are being warned to stay indoors until Thursday. Image: supplied

‘Pay attention and take medication on time. It can be debilitating.

“There will be extreme grass pollen levels in parts of Victoria… from Sunday until at least Thursday.”

The grass pollen forecast for much of Victoria is ‘extreme’, and in the southern part of the state it is ‘high’.

According to Melbourne Pollen, it is the earliest start to the pollen season in thirty years.

The grass pollen forecast for the state’s north, north-east, Mallee and Wimmera is ‘extreme’ on Friday, while the east remains at ‘high’.

Melbourne is low, while the southwest remains temperate.

GCS My Life, generic for women who suffer from hay fever sneezing

GCS My Life, generic for women who suffer from hay fever sneezing

Since October 1, there have already been nine days with high levels of grass pollen, compared to five days in the same period in 2020.

The latest high pollen count has experts concerned.

Forecasts predict high to extreme grass pollen levels in northern Victoria tomorrow and a state-wide forecast of extreme grass pollen levels is expected by Monday.

People are advised to check the Melbourne Pollen website or use the Melbourne Pollen Count app to keep up to date with current alerts.

Why do some people suddenly get hay fever out of nowhere?

For most hay fever patients, symptoms begin in childhood and last for the rest of their lives.

But some people seem to develop the condition suddenly and for no apparent reason, even well into their adult lives.

No one knows exactly why hay fever can appear out of nowhere, but there are a number of theories.

One is that as children they experienced very mild symptoms that they did not notice.

Another is the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, which states that our bodies become weaker as we age because we are not exposed to as many infections as children.

Research has shown that young people who grow up on farms with regular contact with animals are less likely to develop allergies later in life.

Another possibility is that sudden hay fever occurs when the body is exposed to a new environment, for example when you move from the city to the countryside, where pollen is usually more abundant.

But the same could also be true for people moving from rural areas to cities, where there is evidence that pollution can make hay fever worse.

A weakening of the immune system can also be a trigger.

A serious infection, illness, or traumatic emotional event can make the body vulnerable to normally harmless allergens.

It is thought to affect between 15 and 20 percent of people in Britain, with rates even higher among teenagers and symptoms typically peaking in their twenties.

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