About 30 to 40% of the global population has allergies. In Australia and New Zealand, one in five people live with allergies. Up to 80% of people living with asthma also have allergies, which means that knowing how to achieve optimal allergy management is vital to minimising flare-ups, reactions or even serious asthma attacks.

Sensitive Choice, a program of the National Asthma Council Australia, is committed to empowering people to live better with asthma and allergies. Our iconic blue butterfly logo helps people identify products or services that have been rigorously reviewed and approved as asthma and allergy friendly. These products have a potential to benefit someone living with asthma or allergies.

This World Allergy Week, Sensitive Choice shares information and resources about some of the most common allergic triggers and what can be done to improve allergy management.

Know your triggers

Reducing exposure to your allergen triggers may improve your asthma control and make your asthma symptoms easier to manage. However, complete allergen avoidance does not cure asthma.

Being aware of which allergens cause asthma symptoms is an important part of asthma management. You should make efforts to reduce or avoid allergen exposure if:

• your doctor has confirmed that you have an allergy to the trigger
• exposure to that trigger causes your asthma symptoms
• you are motivated to try several allergen exposure reduction measures – following just one measure is unlikely to make a difference.

Maintain good allergy control

Remember, an itchy, runny or blocked nose due to allergies can make your asthma harder to control. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for assistance with managing your allergies, asthma, or hay fever.

Ensure you regularly see your doctor and keep your asthma and allergy action plans up to date. Asthma action plan templates and allergy action plan templates can be downloaded and printed online for you to complete with your doctor. These are useful resources that recognise worsening symptoms and provide clear instructions on what to do in response. Acting quickly can help prevent a mild flare-up from developing into serious asthma symptoms.

Consult your doctor about a referral for allergy testing if you think you have an allergy.

Ensure you know how to use your medications correctly and that they are not expired. The National Asthma Council Australia has a library of step-by-step video tutorials on how to use various asthma and allergy medications, inhaler devices and nasal sprays and washes.

Common allergy triggers

Most people are allergic to more than one trigger and sometimes the response is different, so you could get itchy eyes around cats but a runny nose during pollen season. The severity of the allergic reaction varies between people and depends on the circumstances. A reaction may not be immediate.

Mould

For some people, the tiny particles released by mould spores can trigger serious respiratory symptoms, an allergic reaction or even an asthma attack.

Damp indoor and outdoor areas with mould can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Mould is commonly found in bathrooms, fridges, and areas with poor air circulation, such as walk-in and built-in wardrobes, and bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Having an indoor humidity of 55% or higher increases the risk of mould growth and development. Mould also encourages dust mite growth.

Learn more about mould and how to effectively eliminate it from your home.

Pollen

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is when someone has an allergy to pollen.

Windborne plant pollen is a well-known trigger for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. This pollen can blow into your nose and eyes, triggering asthma and allergies.

Our Sensitive Choice pollens and hay fever fact sheet is the ultimate guide to understanding allergic rhinitis with advice for optimal allergy management. Find out what you can do in the home, when you’re out and about and how your allergies can impact your asthma.

Learn more about pollen and hay fever.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Chemicals and VOCs can trigger allergy symptoms in some people.

Unfortunately, indoor air quality can be up to five times worse than outdoor air quality. Common household products may contain VOCs, which can emit harmful chemicals inside your home.

Sensitive Choice approved products can help minimise the impact of VOCs in your home. Products with the iconic blue butterfly indicates that you can rest easy knowing that they are allergy friendly, made with low-VOCs, no harsh chemicals and no fragrances.

Learn more  in our VOCs fact sheet .

Dust mites

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on shed human skin cells and are common allergen triggers for asthma. Dust mites do not bite or sting people. Their droppings and body fragments can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Allergen particles range in size from 5 to 40 microns.

Dust mites thrive in warm and humid environments, and can live in soft furnishings such as beds, bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, soft toys or clothing and are primarily found inside homes. Mould also encourages dust mite growth.

People with a confirmed allergy to dust mites should reduce their exposure. This involves killing dust mites, removing their allergens they produce and reducing breeding areas.

Learn how dust mites trigger allergies.

Pets

It’s not only a pet’s fur that can trigger allergies; it can be their skin cells or saliva. Any pet with fur or feathers can trigger symptoms. Allergens can stick to the hair and skin of pets and become airborne when the pet sheds their hair. The allergens can remain airborne for some time.

From cleaning products to air purifiers and vacuum cleaners, Sensitive Choice has a range of approved allergy friendly products that can help alleviate pet allergens.

Learn more in our pets and allergies fact sheet.

Smoke

Did you know? Wood heaters are one of the top contributors to human made particulate matter (PM2.5).

Smoke and ash can trigger asthma or allergy symptoms, which can result in a serious flare-up or a severe asthma attack.

Make a Sensitive Choice this World Allergy Week and choose a product that is allergy aware and can help remove smoke particles from the air in your home or avoid the need for wood heaters.

Learn more about smoke or smoking.