Hay Fever Uncovered

The pollen and allergies podcast

Discover hay fever’s impact, how it affects Australians, and effective ways to manage it.

In this first episode of Series 2, Dr Joel Ten, a GP with expertise in respiratory health and a trusted voice on the National Asthma Council’s GP Advisory Group, sits down with renowned allergist Prof Sheryl van Nunen OAM. With over 40 years in clinical practice, Prof van Nunen specialises in allergic diseases, including asthma, eczema, and hay fever, and serves as a consultant at the Northern Beaches Hospital and advisor at Vinmec International Hospital. Together, they explore the realities of living with hay fever and why it has become so prevalent in Australia.

The episode unpacks what hay fever really is—its symptoms, why it's known as “hay fever” despite not causing a fever, and what it means to live with allergies in Australia, one of the allergy capitals of the world. Prof van Nunen explains the genetic and environmental factors that heighten allergy risks and how certain times of the year, especially spring, can worsen symptoms. The discussion also touches on how hay fever overlaps with asthma, affecting people of all ages in different ways.

Listeners will hear about practical steps to manage hay fever effectively, from reducing exposure to allergens to using the latest treatments, including antihistamines, nasal sprays, and even immunotherapy. Prof van Nunen and Dr Ten highlight how consulting healthcare professionals can aid in developing personalised management plans, especially for those with multiple allergies or asthma.

This episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to better understand and manage hay fever, a condition that affects nearly one in five Australians.

Find your local Pollen Forecast service at PollenForecast.com.au and visit the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice website sensitivechoice.com for a range of fact sheets about hay fever and asthma and Sensitive Choice approved products that can help you live better with asthma and allergies.

~~Meet the Speakers~~

Dr Joel Ten

Dr Joel Ten is a general practitioner with over 15 years (?) of clinical experience in both hospital and clinic work. Joel is actively involved in educating both people in the community and healthcare professionals. He has worked in a number of areas including emergency medicine, psychiatry, obstetrics, paediatrics, internal medicine, rehabilitation and general practice. He is a member of the GP Advisory Group and a regular spokesperson for the National Asthma Council.

Prof Sheryl van Nunen OAM FRSN

Prof Sheryl van Nunen is a clinician and medical educator and also a National Asthma Council board member. Sheryl is a consultant physician in allergic diseases at Northern Beaches Hospital and a Senior Advisor, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Center at Vinmec International Hospital in Vietnam. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and Clinical Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health (University of Sydney) and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences (Macquarie University).