Australia has one of the in the world with more than 4.6 million Australians affected. or signup to continue reading Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne are considered some of Australia's worst hay fever hotspots.
Areas which are landlocked and surrounded by pastures were particularly vulnerable. ANU professor Simon Haberle said a combination of ryegrass and a range of tree pollen contributes to Australia's high rates. "We've been monitoring daily pollen count for the last 10 years so we have a good idea when the season begins and peaks and also when it ends," he said.
"Pine trees, which are abundant at the moment and other trees like birch trees, oaks, elms, and plane trees, all of which can be allergic when there is a lot of pollen types in the air." Professor Haberle said the pollen season starts late July but the trees produce pollen until October. Another big issue was when the grasslands started to flower.
"Ryegrass is a big producer of pollen...
from the first week of October, through to even into the summer months, January and February," he said. Professor Haberle advised hay fever sufferers to come up with a plan in consultation with their GP. "Having a plan allows people to know, early in the season, when to take certain medications to reduce the impact," he said.
He noted Canberra was particularly hazardous for sufferers. "For one, Canberra is a landlocked city and does not have the luxury of sea breeze blowing clear air across the city, it is surrou.