By Domenic Chindamo – Pharmacist, Lygon Everyday Chemist, Brunswick East

Victoria is one of the global epicentre of thunderstorm asthma. Every spring, Melbourne faces a health threat unlike anywhere else in the world. Thunderstorm asthma strikes fast, often without warning, and can affect people with hay fever alone, not just diagnosed asthma.

Australia already has one of the highest asthma prevalence rates worldwide, with more than 2.7 million people living with asthma (AIHW, ABS). Asthma hospitalisation rates here are also higher than the OECD average, showing our community carries a heavier burden than most countries.

And we learned this the hardest way possible.

On 21 November 2016, Melbourne experienced the largest and most deadly thunderstorm asthma event ever recorded globally (Victorian Department of Health). Within hours:

• Thousands struggled to breathe
• Ambulances were overwhelmed
• Emergency departments overflowed
• 10 lives were lost

This will always remain one of Victoria’s darkest public health moments.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we made a commitment to our community:

Never again. Not on our shift.

Our mission is long-term: to help Brunswick East become a Blue Zone - a place of longevity, resilience, and outstanding respiratory health.

What Exactly Is Thunderstorm Asthma?

During spring, Victoria’s ryegrass releases high volumes of pollen. Certain thunderstorms create the perfect conditions for pollen grains to be swept up into storm clouds, where they rupture into microscopic particles.

These tiny particles are so small they reach deep into the lungs - triggering sudden, severe asthma symptoms.

This mechanism is consistently described by:

• Victorian Department of Health
• National Asthma Council Australia
• Asthma Australia
• Peer-reviewed studies (The Lancet Respiratory Medicine)

This is why a “normal storm” can suddenly become dangerous.

Who Is Most at Risk?

According to Asthma Australia & the National Asthma Council Australia, your risk is significantly higher if you:

• Have seasonal hay fever (especially to ryegrass)
• Have current asthma
• Had asthma in the past
• Have undiagnosed asthma
• Have poorly controlled asthma
• Are outdoors during storm activity on a high pollen day

During the 2016 event, many affected people had hay fever but had never been diagnosed with asthma (Victorian Dept. of Health review).

Why Victoria? Why Melbourne?

Victoria has a “perfect storm” of risk factors:

• High ryegrass across regional areas
• Strong northerly winds pushing pollen into Melbourne
• Sudden cool changes and thunderstorm outflows
• Atmospheric conditions that concentrate pollen fragments at ground level

This is why the Victorian Government now runs a Thunderstorm Asthma Risk Forecast from 1 October to 31 December every year.

Asthma First Aid - what Everyone Must Know!

The National Asthma Council Australia’s Asthma First Aid is simple, universal, and lifesaving:

1. Sit the person upright 

Stay calm and reassure them.

2. Give 4 separate puffs of blue reliever (salbutamol)

 Use a spacer if possible - one puff at a time, with 4 breaths per puff.

3. Wait 4 minutes

4. If not improving, repeat steps and call 000

Continue giving 4 puffs every 4 minutes until help arrives.

This exact protocol is endorsed by:

• National Asthma Council Australia
• Asthma Australia
• Australian Resuscitation Council
• State and national health departments

SPACERS - The Most Underrated Lifesaver in Pharmacy

Evidence from the National Asthma Council Australia, Asthma Handbook, and multiple clinical trials shows spacers:

• Increase lung deposition of medicines
• Act faster in emergencies
• Reduce side effects
• Are essential for children, elderly, and anyone with poor technique

A blue reliever puffer without a spacer is far less effective — especially during an asthma flare.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we teach:

• Correct spacer technique for adults & children
• How to clean and maintain spacers
• How to integrate them into Asthma Action Plans
• When to replace them
• How to check inhaler technique (most people do it incorrectly!)

The Importance of Hay Fever Control

Poorly managed hay fever is a major risk factor for thunderstorm asthma.

This is backed by:

• Asthma Australia
• National Asthma Council
• Vic Department of Health
• Lancet Respiratory Medicine analyses

Controlling allergic rhinitis helps reduce airway inflammation and lowers the risk of severe flare-ups.

We help tailor a complete hay-fever plan, including:

• Intranasal corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Pharmacy-only stronger options
• Saline irrigation
• Steam therapy
• Eye drops
• Preventer inhalers (if indicated)
• Compounded options for sensitive patients

How Lygon Everyday Chemist Protects Our Community

As your local community health hub, we support you with:

• Asthma Action Plan Reviews

We explain your zones (green/yellow/red), medications, doses, triggers & emergency steps.

• Preventer & Reliever Technique Checks

We ensure you’re using your inhalers effectively.

• Spacer Training for All Ages

Because technique saves lives.

• Hay Fever Assessment & Treatment Options

• Family Asthma Safety Kits 

Perfect for kids, elderly relatives, or high-risk families.

• Support for People With Swallowing Difficulties

Including Medasyst technology to safely convert tablets into liquid (if appropriate).

Our mission:

Protect every member of our community. Build resilience. Save lives.

What You Must Do This Season - No Exceptions

• Take your preventer daily
• Always carry your reliever + spacer
• Treat hay fever early
• Stay indoors during thunderstorm asthma warnings
• Check daily pollen & thunderstorm asthma forecasts
• Have an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan
• Know Asthma First Aid

We will help you with every step.

Final Word:

Thunderstorm asthma is not “just allergies.”

Not “just a bit of wheezing.”

Not “just spring.”

It is a serious public health threat and …it is also preventable with the right plan and the right support.

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we are here for you, your family, and your community.

Together, we can make Brunswick East a model of health - a breathing Blue Zone, where no life is lost to something preventable.

If you need help, come in anytime.

We know asthma.

We know our community.

And we are committed to keeping you safe.

References:

• Asthma Australia – Thunderstorm Asthma, Risk Factors, Asthma First Aid
• National Asthma Council Australia – Asthma First Aid, Australian Asthma Handbook, Spacer Evidence
• Victorian Department of Health – Thunderstorm Asthma Scientific Review, 2016 Incident Analysis, Risk Forecasting System
• Better Health Channel (Victorian Government) – Thunderstorm Asthma, Pollen, Hay Fever
• AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) – Asthma Prevalence & Burden
• ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) – Asthma Statistics
• The Lancet Respiratory Medicine – Ryegrass Pollen Sensitisation & Risk Factors
• OECD Health Data – Asthma hospitalisation comparisons
• Australian Resuscitation Council – Asthma First Aid Protocol