Study showing hayfever tablet stops thunderstorm asthma packs a punch

Rye grass is the major cause of hayfever in
southeastern Australia. Image WA DPRD

by Anne Crawford

Trials conducted by Monash University scientists have shown that a tablet dissolved under the tongue – sublingually – may help safeguard seasonal allergic rhinitis (spring hayfever) sufferers against the deadly effects of thunderstorm asthma.

The allergen immunotherapy Oralair was tested over three years by researchers in the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine at the Central Clinical School/Alfred Health led by Professor Robyn O’Hehir.

Results showed that none of the patients with seasonal hayfever taking Oralair displayed symptoms of allergic rhinitis or asthma during the catastrophic thunderstorm asthma event in 2016, which affected thousands and claimed 10 lives.

Participants sought: Hay fever treatment with oral tablet

Rye grass is a common
allergen

The Alfred Allergy Clinic is conducting a study of oral tablet treatment for hay fever. This new oral tablet dissolves in the mouth before swallowing, and the study will investigate it as an alternative to “allergy shots”. Researchers are seeking 40 patients of both Chinese and non-Chinese background. This treatment could pave the way to relief for the large number of Chinese people who develop grass pollen hay fever in Australia. See more about the Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory medicine's research.