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42 GUEST CONTRIBUTOR RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • APR 2021 WHEN IT RAINS By Brianne Shephard, Pharmacy Group Manager (NSW), WPharmacy Alliance, and 2019 Guild/Maxigesic Pharmacy Assistant of the Year. e had a devastating month of March in NSW, with heavy downpours leading to record- breaking and widespread flooding. This resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to property as well as causing dangerous mudslides and changing the landscape. It’s hard to believe that just over 12 months ago we were facing a bushfire crisis followed by multiple Covid outbreaks, and now it seems half of NSW has been washed downstream. We know the immediate impact of these floods, but what are some of the long-term affects and how do these impact our health? The first thing that comes to my mind are allergies. Not the usual pollen allergies, but allergies to mould. Rain is usually welcomed by those who suffer from pollen allergies, as it weighs down pollen and therefore restricts how far it can travel. Steady rain also helps to wash away loose pollen. Unfortunately, for those of us who suffer from allergies relating to grass, weeds, dust and mould, rain can exacerbate allergies. Consider the after-effects of the floods: if you’re in a rainy and humid season, mould can grow quite quickly, especially on surfaces that have come into contact with water, such as flooring and walls. Even cars and outdoor furniture can be affected. Here, we break down some of the facts about mould allergies.