It’s Spring here in Australia and with Spring comes that feeling of dread for the thousands of Queenslanders that suffer hayfever. Hayfever (or ‘allergic Rhinitis’) is an allergy related condition which can be triggered off by inhaling allergens from the surrounding environment. In Spring time the surrounding environment is usually rich with pollen from flora, grass, weeds and other plants which flourish in season.
When these pollen’s enter the nasal passage, as with any allergic reaction, it swells and becomes inflamed which inadvertently blocks the nasal passage and generally makes life pretty uncomfortable. For an unfortunate few these symptoms can be year long and not just seasonal due to allergies triggered by common place elements such as dust, animals or mould.
Asthma Australia notes on their website that hayfever and asthma are closely linked with 80% of asthma sufferers suffering from hayfever and this is when things can get a bit more serious. However, by taking a proactive approach and reducing the extent of hayfever symptoms, not only could it prevent issues escalating to asthmatic systems but it makes things a lot more comfortable.
Symptoms of hayfever include:
- Puffy and irritated eyes
- Blocked nose and other sinus issues
- Sneezing and runny nose
- Headaches
When symptoms begin to get respiratory, this is when potential asthma incidents can occur. The symptoms of asthma and include:
- Consistent coughing
- Wheezing
- Tight chest
- Unable to catch your breath
When these symptoms begin to become more severe and distressing this is when medical attention is needed for the possibility of experiencing an asthma attack.
The best way to help reduce the symptoms in both asthma and hayfever is removing the source of the aggrevation to the nasal passage and airways. This is easier said than done but if you’re aware that you suffer from either of these conditions take as many precautions as possible such as:
- Avoiding the things that trigger the reactions
- Consulting your GP for medication
- Nasal sprays
- Keep your immunity levels up by maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle
At First Aid Accident and Emergency we are passionate about educating our clients about not only have to treat first aid incidents, such as Asthma and Anaphylaxis caused by allergies but giving them the tools on how to identify and possiblty prevent the incident before it happens.
If you would like any information about our First Aid Courses on the Gold Coast, please contact our head office for a free quote.
