Melbourne asthma tips: manage triggers, use inhalers right, and stay safe
Melbourne’s weather and seasons make asthma tricky. One day it’s smoky from bushfires, the next it’s high pollen or damp mould. You don’t need complicated plans—just a few practical moves that cut attacks and keep you out of emergency.
Simple daily habits that help
Check the air quality before you head out. On smoky days or very high pollen alerts, stay indoors, close windows, and run the air conditioner on recirculate if you have one. Use the Environment Victoria or Bureau of Meteorology apps, or an AQI app to know when to change plans.
Learn proper inhaler technique and use a spacer for metered-dose inhalers. Many people press the canister and breathe too fast or too late. If you’re unsure, ask your pharmacist to watch you use it—this one fix often reduces symptoms more than changing drugs.
Keep a reliever (salbutamol) close at all times and check it regularly. Note the expiry date and the dose counter if it has one. If your reliever is needed more than twice a week for symptoms, talk to your GP about stepping up preventer treatment.
Cut common triggers at home
Dust mites and mould are big in Melbourne’s cooler, damper months. Use mattress and pillow covers, wash bedding in hot water weekly, and fix leaks quickly. Run a dehumidifier in damp areas or use a fan to improve airflow.
Pets and smoke matter too. If someone in the house smokes, make it outside and away from windows. If pet dander triggers you, keep pets out of bedrooms and groom them outside.
Simple cleaning helps: vacuum with a HEPA filter or use a broom on hard floors, avoid sprays with strong scents, and let bathrooms dry after showers to prevent mould build-up.
Get vaccinated for flu every year and consider the COVID vaccine boosters when recommended. Viral infections commonly spark asthma flare-ups, so prevention saves a lot of grief.
If you’re often short of breath or waking at night, ask for an asthma action plan from your GP. A written plan tells you what to do when symptoms rise, when to use extra medication, and when to seek urgent care. It’s a small document that makes big differences.
Want to save on inhalers? Ask your GP about generics and check if you’re eligible for PBS subsidies or patient assistance programs. Local pharmacists and some Australian online pharmacies can also help with cost-friendly options and delivery—good if you can’t make it to the clinic.
If symptoms don’t get better despite these steps, see a respiratory specialist for testing or allergy checks. Many people find identifying a specific trigger—like grass pollen or mould—lets them target prevention and get back to normal life faster.
Small, direct changes—checking air, fixing inhaler technique, and reducing home triggers—usually cut attacks a lot. Try one change this week and see how it goes.
