8 April 2025 · Australian News · Uncategorized
Every year, as the flowers bloom and the temperatures rise, we brace ourselves for the usual suspects: runny noses, red eyes, and relentless sneezing. Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is often brushed off as a minor seasonal inconvenience. But for a growing number of Australians, particularly younger people, it’s a year-round health burden. And surprisingly, it’s often triggered not by the great outdoors, but by what’s under our feet.
A new national clinical trial, ARISE, is now tackling the problem head-on. Led by the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) and hosted at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the study is helping Australians aged 14 to 29 better manage hay fever symptoms. And thank goodness, because the scale of this issue is bigger than most realise.
While spring grasses and pollen steal the spotlight, many hay fever sufferers are dealing with symptoms throughout the year. The real culprits often include dust mites, mould, and pet dander. These indoor allergens hide in mattresses, curtains, carpets, and rugs.
The allergy hiding in your living room
Dust mites are one of the most common but overlooked causes of allergic rhinitis. These tiny arachnids love warm, humid spots like upholstered furniture and soft flooring. They feed on dead skin cells and leave behind allergenic waste that becomes airborne and easy to inhale.
The result? Blocked noses, watery eyes, poor sleep, fatigue, and even worsening asthma. And according to Professor Connie Katelaris, co-chief investigator of the ARISE Trial, most people with hay fever don’t seek help. Of those who do, many are not using their medication correctly.
That means a lot of unnecessary suffering. It also means a huge economic hit, with respiratory diseases like allergic rhinitis costing the Australian economy an estimated 4.5 billion dollars per year in healthcare expenses and lost productivity.
The trial helping young people breathe easier
The ARISE Trial is Australia’s most coordinated effort yet to change the way we treat hay fever. It doesn’t just prescribe medication. It provides education, structure, and support. All online.
Participants follow a personalised education plan alongside a daily nasal spray. They also receive weekly text alerts, with reminders on how and when to use their medication, the pollen count in their area, and practical tips to manage symptoms.
And the program is accessible nationwide. Whether you live in inner-city Melbourne or the rural Northern Territory, you can participate from home. That level of accessibility is rare and shows how seriously this trial is taking the issue.
For Brisbane local Micaela Diaz, hay fever has been a constant companion. She’s allergic to pollen, dust, and mould. Spring used to be something she dreaded.
She’s not alone. Millions of Australians struggle with allergic rhinitis, yet too few are taught how to manage it effectively.
A public health issue hiding in plain sight
Hay fever may sound mild compared to other chronic illnesses, but its impact on everyday life is profound. It affects sleep, concentration, mental health, and work performance. It disrupts schooling. And for those with asthma, it can be a serious health risk.
Professor Janet Davies, head of allergy research at QUT, says the issue is only getting worse. Pollen seasons are lasting longer, and dust mite exposure is growing as homes become more sealed and climate conditions shift.
It’s time we stopped treating hay fever as a seasonal inconvenience and started seeing it for what it is. A chronic, inflammatory condition that deserves proper attention.
It starts at home
While education and medical support are essential, managing indoor allergens is just as important. That means reducing dust, keeping humidity low, and yes, cleaning the carpets.
The next time your nose won’t stop running, it might not be the pollen outside. It might be your rug.
(Pro tip: If you live in Melbourne and haven’t deep-cleaned your rugs in years, this rug cleaning service is worth a look.)
The ARISE Trial could change how we approach allergic rhinitis in Australia. It’s giving young people the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of their health. That’s something worth supporting. Especially when the solution might begin right under our feet.