Spring can be a welcome change after winter, but for some people living with asthma, it is also a useful time to review how their breathing has been going.
Asthma Week runs from 1–7 September 2026. This year, Asthma Australia is focusing on asthma and women, including how hormonal changes across the life course may affect asthma.
For anyone with asthma, spring is also a practical reminder to check whether their asthma action plan is current, inhaler technique is correct and medication instructions still make sense. Pollen, weather changes, respiratory infections, smoke and exercise may be relevant triggers for some people, but asthma triggers vary from person to person.
Why spring can be a useful review point
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways. Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, although the pattern is different for each person. Symptoms may be mild at times and become worse during a flare-up.
Spring does not cause asthma, and not everyone with asthma will notice a seasonal change. However, some people may find that symptoms are associated with pollen, windy conditions, sudden weather changes, respiratory viruses, smoke or outdoor activity.
What the Brisbane research found
Research from Brisbane has found an association between airborne grass pollen and asthma emergency department presentations. The 2023 study used Queensland Health emergency data from Greater Brisbane between 2016 and 2020 and found that grass pollen exposure was associated with asthma presentations on the same day and up to three days later. The study also found an association between cloud-to-cloud lightning and asthma presentations, although lightning did not modify the effect of grass pollen in the analysis.
This research does not mean that every storm will trigger asthma, or that everyone exposed to pollen will become unwell. It does show why people who know that pollen, thunderstorms or seasonal allergies affect their asthma may benefit from discussing a plan with their GP before spring weather becomes more unpredictable.
Thunderstorm asthma and Brisbane
Thunderstorm asthma refers to asthma symptoms or flare-ups associated with an unusual combination of high grass-pollen levels and particular thunderstorm conditions. During these events, pollen particles may be carried through the air and breathed more deeply into the lungs.
Asthma Australia says the peak period for thunderstorm asthma is mainly spring, although it can extend into December during the grass-pollen season. People with seasonal hay fever, current asthma or a history of asthma may be more vulnerable, as may people who have not previously been diagnosed with asthma but are sensitive to grass pollen.
Signs it may be time to book a review
If thunderstorms or pollen are known triggers for you, ask your GP what preparation is appropriate. This may include reviewing your current asthma medicines, checking your inhaler and spacer technique, managing hay fever and making sure you know what to do if symptoms worsen.
On days when high pollen levels or thunderstorms are forecast, Asthma Australia advises people at risk to monitor local conditions and, where possible, avoid being outdoors during the highest-risk period. During a relevant thunderstorm warning, follow your written asthma action plan and seek urgent help if symptoms are severe or worsening
The asthma plan that is easy to forget
An asthma action plan is a written set of instructions developed with your doctor. It should explain your usual medicines, how to recognise changes in your symptoms and what to do if your asthma becomes worse or you have an emergency.
Asthma Australia recommends that everyone with asthma has an asthma action plan, including people whose asthma feels mild. The plan should be written with you and reflect your symptoms, triggers, medicines and ability to follow the instructions. The plan should be informed by the Australian Asthma Handbook, Australia’s national evidence-based guideline for health professionals. The Handbook provides clinical guidance on diagnosing and managing asthma, while your asthma action plan then translates that guidance into instructions specific to you by your GP.
Healthdirect recommends regular asthma reviews, generally every 6–12 months for adults, and more often when treatment has changed, asthma has been poorly controlled, a person has been in hospital or other circumstances require closer review. Children may need reviews more frequently.
Spring may be a good time to book an appointment if:
- Your symptoms have changed.
- You are using your reliever more often than usual.
- Asthma is disturbing your sleep.
- You are limiting exercise, work, school or other activities.
- You have had a flare-up or needed urgent care.
- You are unsure which inhaler is your preventer or reliever.
- Your inhaler or spacer technique has not been checked recently.
- Your written asthma action plan is missing or out of date.
- You have hay fever or seasonal allergies that seem connected with breathing symptoms.
These points do not diagnose uncontrolled asthma. They are reasons to discuss what has been happening with your GP, nurse or pharmacist.
Check your inhaler technique
Using an inhaler correctly takes practice, and the correct technique depends on the device. The National Asthma Council Australia states that incorrect inhaler technique is common and that many people have not had their technique checked or corrected by a health professional.
Lung Foundation Australia also provides device-specific inhaler checklists because different inhalers require different steps. Correct technique helps ensure that inhaled medicine is delivered as intended.
At an appointment, bring all your inhalers, spacers and other asthma devices. Ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist to watch how you use them. A small change in timing, breathing or device positioning may affect how the medicine is delivered, but do not change your medication or dose without medical advice.
It can also help to write down:
- When your symptoms occur.
- Whether they happen during sleep, exercise, work or outdoor activity.
- Whether they follow a cold, hay fever symptoms, smoke exposure or a weather change.
- How often you use your reliever.
- Whether you have missed work, school, exercise or social activities.
- What you notice before symptoms become worse.
This information can help your healthcare professional understand your pattern and decide whether your asthma plan needs review.
Asthma, women and hormonal changes
Asthma can affect people of all genders and ages. For Asthma Week 2026, Asthma Australia is highlighting that hormonal changes across a woman’s life course may influence how asthma affects her.
If you notice that your breathing symptoms change around menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause or menopause, make a note of the pattern and discuss it with your GP. Do not assume that every change in breathing is hormonal, and do not stop prescribed asthma treatment without medical advice.
Asthma symptoms can change during pregnancy in different ways. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, speak with your GP about your asthma medicines and action plan rather than stopping treatment on your own.
Children, carers and busy households
For a child, asthma management may involve more than remembering an inhaler. Parents and carers may also be coordinating school routines, sport, sleep, medication instructions and what to do during a flare-up.
Bring your child’s inhaler, spacer and written asthma action plan to an appointment. Ask for their technique to be checked and confirm that the plan is suitable for home, school, childcare and activities.
Healthdirect notes that a child’s asthma action plan should include their usual medicines, what to do if symptoms worsen, what to do in an emergency and when to seek medical care.
It may help to keep a copy of the action plan somewhere easy to find and provide the required information to your child’s school or childcare service. Asthma Australia also provides action-plan resources suitable for adults and children.
When breathing problems need urgent help
If someone is having severe trouble breathing or showing signs of a severe asthma attack, call Triple Zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest emergency department
Severe warning signs can include gasping for breath, being unable to breathe normally, being unable to speak in full sentences, blue or pale lips, marked exhaustion or drowsiness, or little or no relief from the reliever inhaler.
Follow the person’s written asthma action plan if it is available. For a blue or grey reliever, Healthdirect’s asthma first-aid guidance advises sitting upright, taking four puffs, waiting four minutes and calling Triple Zero if symptoms are not improving. Continue following the first-aid steps while waiting for an ambulance.
Asthma first aid can differ according to the person’s prescribed medicines and action plan. Use the instructions written for that individual where available.
Make spring a review point
Spring does not affect everyone with asthma in the same way. For some people, it may bring more hay fever, pollen exposure, outdoor activity or changing weather. For others, symptoms may remain unchanged.
The useful question is not whether spring will cause a flare-up. It is whether you know what your triggers may be, whether your inhaler technique is correct and whether you have a current plan for when symptoms change.
If your asthma symptoms have changed, your inhaler technique has not been checked recently, or you are unsure whether your asthma action plan still suits you, book an appointment with the team at Sandstone Healthcare Yeerongpilly. Bring your inhalers, spacer and action plan so your questions can be discussed during the appointment.
Sandstone Healthcare Yeerongpilly is a private-billing practice. You will generally have out-of-pocket costs after Medicare rebates.
Further Reading: Trusted Australian Resources
- Asthma Australia. (2026). Asthma Week 2026: Asthma and women.
https://asthma.org.au/get-involved/events/asthma-week/asthma-week-2026/ - Asthma Australia. (n.d.). Asthma action plan.
https://asthma.org.au/manage-asthma/asthma-action-plan/ - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. (2024). Thunderstorm asthma.
https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/asthma-and-allergy/thunderstorm-asthma - Australian Asthma Handbook. (2025). Australian Asthma Handbook: National guidelines for health professionals. National Asthma Council Australia.
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/ - Australian Asthma Handbook. (2025). Written asthma action plans, adherence and inhaler devices. National Asthma Council Australia.
https://www.asthmahandbook.org.au/static/files/Australian-Asthma-Handbook-v2.0-Management-%E2%80%93-WAAPs-Adherence-and-Devices.pdf - Children’s Health Queensland. (2023). Asthma action plan. Queensland Government.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/resources/health-professionals/asthma/asthma-action-plan - Hasan, M. I., et al. (2024). Efficacy of a structured audio-visual asthma care session during GP visit in Australia: A single GP centre intervention trial. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 30, PY24026.
https://doi.org/10.1071/PY24026 - Healthdirect. (2025). Asthma attack management. Australian Government.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/asthma-attack-management - Healthdirect. (2025). Asthma in adolescents and adults. Australian Government.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/asthma-in-adolescents-and-adults - Lung Foundation Australia. (n.d.). Using your inhaler.
https://lungfoundation.com.au/support-and-resources/living-with-a-lung-disease/using-your-inhaler/ - Queensland Health. (2024). Asthma: Adults and children over 12 years. Chronic Conditions Manual. Queensland Government.
https://www.ccm.health.qld.gov.au/management-of-diagnosed-conditions/asthma-adults-and-children-over-12 - Queensland Health. (2024). Asthma: Children 1–12 years. Chronic Conditions Manual. Queensland Government.
https://www.ccm.health.qld.gov.au/management-of-diagnosed-conditions/asthma-children-1-12-years - RACGP. (2025). Australian Asthma Handbook. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/view-all-guidelines-by-topic/chronic-disease/australian-asthma-handbook - Simunovic, M., Boyle, J., Erbas, B., Baker, P., & Davies, J. M. (2023). Airborne grass pollen and thunderstorms influence emergency department asthma presentations in a subtropical climate. Environmental Research, 236, 116754.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.116754
