Allergy | Pollen Allergies
Care Plan Library
Introduction
This page is part of the Care Plan Building Library used by GeneralPracticeTraining.com.au.
It is designed to help clinicians and practice teams support patients with pollen allergies, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), and pollen-triggered asthma.
Condition Overview
This snippet focuses on pollen allergies, which commonly cause hay fever symptoms and can also trigger asthma.
Pollens from grass, weeds, and trees are frequent seasonal allergens. While pollen cannot be completely avoided, reducing exposure and using appropriate treatment can significantly improve symptom control and quality of life.
Patients with asthma triggered by pollen require careful management to reduce the risk of severe exacerbations.
Care Plan Snippet – Pollen Allergy Management (Table Format)
Care Plan Details
Item: Preventive and chronic disease care
(May be incorporated into GP Chronic Condition Management Plan – Medicare item 965 where relevant)
Date: [Insert date]
Patient Details
Patient: [Patient name], [DOB], [Contact details]
GP Details
GP: [Doctor name], [Clinic name]
GP Management Plan – Problems / Goals / Treatments / Arrangements
| Area | Patient problem / risk | SMART goal | Key actions and advice | Arrangements and follow-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pollen exposure | Seasonal allergic symptoms | Reduce symptom severity during pollen season | Identify pollen triggers. Review pollen calendars and forecasts. Advise staying indoors during peak pollen times. | Seasonal review. Written advice provided. |
| Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) | Nasal and eye symptoms affecting daily function | Achieve good symptom control | Antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, decongestants if appropriate. Avoid known triggers. | GP review of response to treatment. |
| Pollen-triggered asthma | Asthma exacerbations during pollen season | Prevent asthma flare-ups | Reinforce asthma action plan. Ensure correct preventer use. Carry reliever at all times. | Asthma review. Action plan updated. |
| Environmental exposure | High pollen exposure outdoors | Reduce exposure where possible | Keep windows closed. Avoid mowing. Wear sunglasses outdoors. Avoid outdoor activities on high pollen days. | Reinforce strategies at follow-up. |
| Poor symptom recognition | Delayed diagnosis or management | Improve understanding of allergy patterns | Encourage symptom diary including time, location, season, and exposures. | Diary reviewed at appointments. |
| Severe or persistent symptoms | Ongoing symptoms despite treatment | Optimise diagnosis and management | Consider referral for allergy testing or immunotherapy assessment. | Referral to clinical immunology/allergy specialist if required. |
Symptoms to Monitor
Hay fever symptoms may include:
- Runny, itchy, or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy, watery, or red eyes
- Itchy ears, throat, or palate
Asthma symptoms triggered by pollen may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
Patients should be advised that severe breathing difficulty is a medical emergency.
Diagnosis Considerations
Diagnosis is based on clinical history and may be supported by:
- Skin prick testing
- Blood tests for specific IgE
Unproven allergy testing methods should be avoided. Patients considering complementary or alternative testing should be advised to discuss this with their GP first.
Treatment Considerations
Management may include:
- Allergen avoidance strategies
- Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays
- Asthma preventer and reliever medications if asthma is present
- Allergen immunotherapy in selected patients
Medication use should be reviewed regularly for effectiveness and side effects.
Emergency Advice
If a patient experiences an asthma attack with significant breathing difficulty:
- Follow the asthma action plan immediately
- Call 000 and request an ambulance
- Administer reliever medication while awaiting help
Review and Follow-up
Review symptom control, medication use, and trigger exposure regularly, especially before and during pollen seasons.
Update asthma action plans annually for adults and every 6 months for children.
You can use our Care Plan Building Tool to incorporate pollen allergy and asthma management into individualised care plans.
You can also explore our online courses, completed by thousands of health professionals worldwide, covering allergy management, asthma care, and preventive health.