Leading Australian lifestyle and media commentator Shelly Horton has sprung into action today launching a new health campaign ‘Hay Fever Help’ urging people to get on top of their hay fever symptoms by visiting a doctor this spring.

The initiative called Hay Fever Help, comes as over three million Australians¹ may experience troublesome symptoms such as nasal congestion, itchy red or watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing during the spring season. People with related conditions like asthma are also encouraged to think ahead as studies show up to 80 per cent of people with asthma also experience symptoms of hay fever².

Hay Fever Help highlights the important role doctors can play in helping manage hay fever which affects 15% of Australians³. A GP is well placed to assist patients as they can evaluate a patient’s lifestyle, symptoms and previous medical history to work out what management option suits them best. However, a 2015 survey shows over half (53 per cent) of Australians with hay fever have never sought advice from a GP to manage their symptoms⁴. One in five also reported they were unaware a doctor could offer them advice and treatment for hay fever⁴.

Shelly Horton has lent her support to the campaign, speaking out for the first time about her experiences suffering with hay fever from a young age.

“Growing up in Kingaroy (QLD) which is famous for peanuts, meant harvest seasons were particularly tough for me because the dust was always in the air. It really intensified my symptoms and I struggled for years, even after I moved away. It could even snowball into sinus pain or a toothache which was excruciating.”

“I tried over-the-counter options but the relief was limited and temporary for me. I don’t know why it took me so long to go see a doctor to get help. I’m hoping by sharing my story it will encourage others to do the same. No one should have to live their lives inconvenienced by hay fever,” said Horton.

Professor Connie Katelaris, Consultant Immunologist/ Allergist at Campbelltown Hospital, says patients should go to their GP as the first port of call rather than as a last resort.

“Spring can be a particularly trying time for people affected by hay fever. This campaign aims to encourage people who have uncontrolled symptoms to seek help from their GP before the season is in full swing. People often put up with symptoms that can have a huge impact on their daily life despite the availability of a range of effective treatment options.”

“People also don’t realise persistent hay fever can be mistaken as a permanent cold and as a result treat it incorrectly. Your GP can help clarify your symptoms and determine the treatment option and management plan that is right for you,” said Professor Katelaris.

People with hay fever can visit www.HayFeverHelp.com.au  to check the daily pollen prediction and find out more information. They can also join the conversation on social media by using #HayFeverHelp.

The campaign will run through to the end of September 2016. For more information about your own hay fever symptoms, speak to your healthcare professional.

REFERENCES

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Allergic Rhinitis Accessed 4 July 2016. http://www.aihw.gov.au/allergic-rhinitis/
2. Information for patients, consumers and carers: About Asthma and Allergy. http://www.allergy.org.au/images/pcc/ASCIA_PCC_About_asthma_and_allergy_2015.pdf
3. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever in Australia) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2011 Edition. Pages 6 and 8. http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737420519
4. ‘Allergic Rhinitis in Australia’ McCrindle consumer research, commissioned by GSK. Quantitative online survey conducted 8-14th September 2015 of 1,027 Australian respondents aged 18 years and over who selected suffering from hay fever. (p11)