How to Manage Asthma and Allergies During Allergy Season

Allergy season can be challenging, but learning how to manage asthma and allergies is key to staying in control. The same triggers, pollen, dust, mould spores, and pet dander, can set off both hay fever and allergic asthma flare-ups, making combined management essential.

Common symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes or skin rashes. For example, seasonal allergic asthma (also called hay fever asthma) often causes nasal congestion and tightness in the chest when pollen or mould spores are high.

By understanding your condition and preparing in advance, you can minimise risks. In this article, we’ll explain how to recognise triggers and symptoms, use prevention strategies (like allergy-proofing your home), and follow treatment plans. We’ll also highlight how telehealth with Phenix Health can help you stay on top of your asthma management and access medications and support during peak allergy season.

Recognising Allergic Asthma and Hay Fever Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic lung condition where inflamed airways make breathing difficult. When asthma is allergic, it means inhaled allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould) trigger asthma attacks. During allergy season, pollen and spores float in the air and can inflame the airways. Typical signs to watch for include:

• Respiratory symptoms: Wheezing, persistent coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.
• Nasal/eye symptoms: Sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and a runny or blocked nose (allergic rhinitis or hay fever).
• Skin reactions: Hives or an itchy rash can occur if your immune system reacts to an allergen on your skin or via inhalation.

Asthma Australia notes that 1 in 9 Australians has asthma, and many of these people also suffer from hay fever. In practice, many patients with asthma have allergic triggers, so managing both sets of symptoms is essential. Keeping track of patterns (for example, if symptoms worsen on high-pollen days) is the first step to better control.

Common Allergy Triggers to Watch Out For

Allergens are everywhere during allergy season. Identifying your personal triggers can prevent unexpected asthma flare-ups. Common triggers include:

• Pollen: Tiny plant particles from trees, grasses and weeds. Tree pollen is high in spring, grass pollen in summer and ragweed in late summer/fall.
• Pet dander: Flakes of skin or saliva from cats, dogs or other furry animals. Even non-haired pets (e.g. birds) or rodents can have allergens.
• Dust mites: Microscopic insects in household dust, bedding and soft furnishings. Their droppings are a major indoor allergen year-round.
• Mould spores: Fungi that grow indoors (in damp basements, bathrooms) and outdoors after rain. Mould allergies often worsen in summer and early fall.
• Other irritants: Cockroach waste, smoke, strong perfumes or cleaning chemicals can irritate airways, though these are more non-allergic asthma triggers.

If you’re unsure which allergens affect you, a healthcare provider can order skin or blood tests to pinpoint your triggers. For example, Asthma Australia suggests getting an allergy test if hay fever worsens your asthma. Once you know the culprits, you can focus on avoiding or reducing exposure to them.

Preventing Flare-Ups: Avoidance and Home Environment

Once you know your triggers, take steps to limit exposure at home and outdoors. Small changes can make a big difference:

• Monitor pollen forecasts: On high-pollen days, stay indoors with windows closed as much as possible. Use online pollen apps or local weather alerts.
• Keep windows closed during peak pollen: Pollen counts are typically highest in the early morning and evening. Use air conditioning or fans to circulate air instead of opening windows.
• Use HEPA filters and purifiers: Install high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters in your heating/AC system or use stand-alone purifiers. They remove pollen, dust mite and pet dander from indoor air.
• Clean frequently: Dust and vacuum often (use a vacuum with a HEPA bag if possible) to remove allergens from carpets, curtains and upholstery. Steam-clean carpets and mop hard floors to kill dust mites. Wash bedding (sheets, pillow covers, blankets) in hot water (at least 60°C) every week.
• Allergy-proof bedrooms: Keep pets out of bedrooms and off bedding. Consider allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers. Reduce clutter or items that collect dust (like old curtains and stuffed toys).
• Shower and change clothes: After spending time outdoors, wash pollen off your hair and skin and change into clean clothes. This prevents bringing pollen indoors.
• Gardening precautions: Wear a pollen mask and glasses outside. Ask someone else to mow the lawn or garden during peak season if grass pollen bothers you.
• Mould control: Fix leaks and control humidity indoors (use dehumidifiers in damp areas) to reduce mould growth. Avoid outdoor activities in heavily mouldy areas (like compost heaps or wet forests).

By making the home environment more allergy-proof and timing outdoor activities wisely, you can drastically cut down on asthma trigger exposure.

Medication and Treatment Options

Even with avoidance, many people need medications to control allergies and asthma. Work with your doctor to develop the right treatment plan. Common medical strategies include:

• Controller inhalers: These inhaled medicines prevent airway inflammation daily. Inhaled corticosteroids (like budesonide or fluticasone) are first-line to reduce inflammation. Combination inhalers add a long-acting bronchodilator to keep airways open longer.
• Rescue inhalers: Fast-acting bronchodilator inhalers (such as salbutamol) provide quick relief during an asthma attack. Always carry one as prescribed and use it at the first sign of wheezing or breathlessness.
• Leukotriene modifiers: These oral medications (e.g. montelukast) block chemicals that cause asthma and allergy symptoms. They can help both asthma and hay fever symptoms.
• Antihistamines: Available as tablets, liquids, or sprays, antihistamines relieve runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and skin caused by allergies. Non-drowsy antihistamines are preferred during the day.
• Nasal corticosteroid sprays: For significant nasal congestion or rhinitis symptoms, steroid nasal sprays (e.g. fluticasone) reduce inflammation in the nose. They are effective when used regularly during allergy season.
• Allergy immunotherapy: For moderate-to-severe allergic asthma or hay fever, allergy shots (or sublingual drops/tablets) gradually desensitise your immune system to specific allergens. Over time, this can reduce symptoms and medication needs.
• Biologics (monoclonal antibodies): In cases of severe allergic asthma not controlled by standard therapies, biologics (e.g. omalizumab) target immune system pathways (IgE) to reduce reactions. These are prescribed by specialists.

Your doctor may prescribe other treatments as needed (like anti-cholinergic inhalers or sinus infection management) and will help you use them correctly. Importantly, studies and experts emphasise using medications exactly as directed and maintaining a daily routine. Skipping doses or stopping medicines when you “feel fine” can let inflammation build up and lead to flare-ups.

Asthma Action Plan and Monitoring

A written Asthma Action Plan is a powerful tool. It lays out exactly what to do each day (green zone: all clear), what medicines to add if symptoms appear (yellow zone), and when to seek help in an emergency (red zone). Asthma Australia recommends that everyone with asthma have an action plan developed with their doctor. Key points of planning:

• Identify triggers: Note which allergens or situations trigger you. Your plan can specify things to avoid (for example, “no pets in bedroom” or “wear mask when gardening”).
• Know your meds: List all daily controller medications and doses, plus your rescue inhaler. Include any allergy meds like antihistamines or nasal sprays used seasonally.
• Symptom monitoring: Track how you feel. Some people use a peak-flow meter to measure lung function. A drop in peak flow or increased rescue inhaler use signals a problem.
• Action steps: Define what to do if symptoms worsen (e.g. take additional inhaler doses, start oral steroids, call your doctor). Ensure that family members are aware of the plan as well.

Regularly review your plan with your doctor, especially before or during allergy season. New triggers may emerge, or changes in weather conditions may exacerbate symptoms. During National Asthma Week (2–8 September 2025), it’s a good time to check your plan and inhaler technique. Research shows many people do not use their inhaler optimally, so ask for a refresher at any visit.

Telehealth Support with Phenix Health

Telehealth makes getting asthma and allergy care more convenient – which is vital when you’re itchy and congested during pollen season. With Phenix Health’s online doctor service, you can consult a qualified Australian GP from home at any time. Telehealth allows you to:

• Review symptoms quickly: Have a virtual check-up to discuss worsening cough or wheeze, without waiting days for an in-person appointment.
• Adjust medications: If you need extra inhaler use, a doctor can update your treatment plan on the spot. They can prescribe antihistamines, nasal sprays, or adjust preventer inhalers right away.
• Get prescriptions filled: Phenix Health can send your scripts (for inhalers or allergy meds) to a local pharmacy without an office visit. This is especially handy if seasonal prescriptions run out on weekends or holidays.
• Answer questions: Wondering when to start your antihistamines or how to use nasal sprays? A telehealth consult can clarify all this. Phenix doctors also offer reminders on asthma action plan steps.

Telehealth is not a substitute for emergency care, but it is an ideal option for routine asthma and allergy management during peak season. With Phenix Health available 24/7, patients can feel reassured that support is always within reach. 

You can easily book an appointment or message a doctor online, making care more accessible when you need it most. For further guidance, the Phenix Health blog provides practical articles, while the main site offers a full overview of available services and support.

Manage Asthma and Allergies with Phenix Health

Allergy season doesn’t have to leave you breathless. By avoiding known triggers, following your medication regimen, and keeping an up-to-date asthma action plan, you can effectively manage asthma and allergies. 

Remember that online medical care is a great way to stay on track: through Phenix Health’s telehealth service, you can easily get advice, refill scripts, and adjust your asthma and allergy treatment plan from home.

This National Asthma Week, take the opportunity to review your management plan. Phenix Health’s team of Australian-registered doctors is ready to help you manage asthma and allergies via telehealth, because breathing easy should always be within reach.

Book a consult today to get personalised support for your seasonal allergy and asthma care.