Get Ready for Hay Fever Season – Allergy Tips from Your Local Clinic

Are you tired of seasonal allergies every year? Why not change things this year? Allergy measures you should know before the season starts

"I took medicine last year, but it didn't help at all," and "I get depressed every year around this time," are complaints I often hear in the examination room. With hay fever, if you change the timing and method of your countermeasures, you'll experience a significant difference, even with the same medication. It's frankly easiest to prepare while you still have time, rather than scrambling after the season has already started. This time, I've compiled things I want those who battle hay fever every year to know.

Why do we even get hay fever in the first place?

Hay fever occurs when pollen from trees like cedar and cypress enters the body, and the immune system overreacts, perceiving it as a "dangerous foreign substance." It is officially called allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.

What's curious is that many people develop it suddenly in adulthood, even if they were fine as children. This is due to a phenomenon called "sensitization," where IgE antibodies gradually accumulate in the body as pollen is inhaled each year, and then one day, symptoms appear as if water is overflowing from a cup. Once it develops, it will recur every year, so it's important to address it as early as possible.

 

Things to check if you suspect you might have hay fever

Colds and hay fever can have similar symptoms, making them difficult to distinguish. As a guide, please check the following:

• Repeated, consecutive sneezes
• Clear, watery nasal discharge
• Often having a stuffy nose and breathing through the mouth
• Itchy, gritty, or red eyes
• Itchy throat or deep inside the ears
• Itchy skin around the face and neck (pollen dermatitis)
• Heavy head and feeling foggy
• The same symptoms appear at the same time every year

If you don't have a fever and your symptoms recur annually around the same season, there's a high probability it's hay fever. If you're feeling like "it's almost time again this year," we recommend taking action before your symptoms start and you have to panic. If you live around Jujo, Higashi-Jujo, Akabane, or Oji and have concerning symptoms, please feel free to consult our clinic.

5 things you should do before the season

① First, find out "what you are reacting to"

While often grouped as "hay fever," the types of pollen that cause it vary, including cedar, cypress, alder, grass, and ragweed, and they pollinate at different times. Some people suffer only in spring, while others have symptoms in autumn, and this is because of the different types of pollen responsible.

A blood test (specific IgE test) can numerically show how strongly you react to which allergens. Getting detailed information like "I react strongly to cedar, but not so much to cypress" can help narrow down when and for how long you need to take medication. If you've been taking medication every year without really knowing, getting properly tested once might change your approach. Our clinic partners with Fukuyama Clinical Laboratory Center, and results can be provided as early as the next day (for appointments before 5 PM).

② "Early therapy": Start taking medication before pollen season begins.

Many of you may already know this, but hay fever medication is more effective when taken about two weeks before pollen season begins, rather than after symptoms appear. This is called "early therapy."

By allowing the medication to take effect before inflammatory substances like histamine are dramatically released in the body, symptoms throughout the season are often milder, and many people can get through the peak period more comfortably. Cedar pollen in Tokyo typically starts to fly around early February, so ideally, you should visit a doctor in January to get your medication prescribed. Even if you think it's "too late," please rest assured that treatment can still be initiated even after symptoms appear.

③ Reflect on whether last year's medication was effective

While some people prefer to get "the same medication as last year," the efficacy of anti-allergy medications varies significantly depending on the type. There are those that tend to cause drowsiness, and those that don't; some are taken once a day, others twice; some are strong for nasal congestion, while others are effective for itchy eyes. The right medication varies from person to person, depending on their constitution and lifestyle.

If you experienced "being too drowsy to work last year" or "my nose was still stuffy even after taking the medicine," please consider reviewing your medication. Recently, more medications that cause less drowsiness have become available, and for severe cases, there's also the option of Xolair injections, which will be discussed later.

④ Make daily pollen countermeasures a habit

It's also important to rely less on medication and to reduce the amount of pollen you take in as much as possible. Especially on days with high pollen counts, you'll feel a significant difference.

• Check pollen information daily along with the weather forecast (high counts on clear, windy days, and the day after rain)
• Use masks, pollen-blocking glasses, and hats when going out
• When returning home, brush off pollen at the entrance before entering, then wash your face and gargle immediately
• Dry laundry indoors or use a dryer
• Decide whether to open/close windows based on pollen information
• Be mindful of your physical condition, as lack of sleep and fatigue worsen allergy symptoms

⑤ If you suffer every year, consider "fundamental treatment"

For those who find it difficult to get through each year with medication, there are also treatment options that aim to fundamentally change the symptoms.

Sublingual immunotherapy is a treatment where a small amount of cedar pollen extract is administered under the tongue daily to acclimate the body to pollen. It takes several years for the effects to appear, but many people find their symptoms significantly relieved with continued treatment, and it is covered by insurance. For those who "don't want to take medication for the rest of their lives," this is a treatment option worth knowing about.

Xolair injections (Omalizumab) directly block IgE, a substance that triggers allergic reactions. This is a biological drug used for severe hay fever where other medications have been ineffective, and it is available at our clinic. If you've almost given up, thinking "nothing works anymore," please consult us.

Sometimes it's not hay fever, but another illness.

Even if the symptoms resemble hay fever, another underlying condition may actually be involved. Especially in the following cases, we recommend getting examined to rule out other causes in addition to hay fever:

• Persistent fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher (hay fever alone usually does not cause fever)
• Nasal discharge turns yellow or green (possible sinusitis)
• Itching in the mouth or throat after eating certain foods (oral allergy syndrome)
• Rough and itchy skin on the face or neck (pollen dermatitis, worsening of atopic dermatitis)
• Cough that persists for more than two weeks (possible cough variant asthma, allergic bronchitis)

Our clinic, which covers both internal medicine and dermatology, allows you to consult us about multiple symptoms at once, such as "my nose is bothering me and my skin is itchy." Even if you're unsure "where to go," please feel free to reach out to us first.

Flow of treatment at our clinic

1. Consultation and Examination
   We will confirm when your symptoms started, what they are like, whether they appear every year, and your history of medication use.
2. Allergy Blood Test, if necessary
   We will numerically confirm the causative allergens and the strength of your reaction. For appointments before 5 PM, results will be provided as early as the next day.
3. Treatment Plan Proposal
   We will propose the optimal combination of oral medications, nasal sprays, eye drops, Xolair injections, or sublingual immunotherapy, tailored to the severity of your symptoms and your work/lifestyle.
4. Prescription and Follow-up
   During the season, we will adjust the dosage and type of medication while monitoring its effectiveness. We will also listen to your detailed preferences, such as "the medicine is too strong" or "I want it to be more effective."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I don't like getting drowsy from medication.
The likelihood of drowsiness varies considerably depending on the medication. Please let us know situations where drowsiness would be problematic, such as during work or driving, and we will choose a suitable medication. Please don't hesitate to tell us.

Q. Can children also be examined?
Yes, we also examine children for hay fever and allergies. If "your child has also started to show symptoms," you are welcome to come with your family.

Q. My symptoms have already appeared; is it too late to come now?
It's not too late at all. Many people feel relief by starting treatment even after symptoms have appeared. Please visit us even in the middle of the season.

Q. Do I just have to live with hay fever for the rest of my life?
By continuing sublingual immunotherapy for several years, many people experience significantly reduced symptoms or hardly need medication anymore. While it's a treatment that requires patience, it's recommended for those who want to aim for long-term improvement.

If you're looking for hay fever consultation in Jujo, Akabane, Higashi-Jujo, or Oji

Our clinic is located on the 1st floor of J&MALL, about 1-2 minutes walk from JR Saikyo Line Jujo Station. We are conveniently located for patients coming from Akabane, Higashi-Jujo, Oji, Shimo, Itabashi, and Toshima Ward areas, and we are open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM, including weekends and holidays.

As a clinic where you can stop by after work or while shopping, we aim to be a trusted local physician. If you're thinking, "I want to do something about my hay fever this year," please feel free to visit us first. You can be seen without an appointment, but we prioritize those with web reservations.

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Jujo Station Halu Internal Medicine & Dermatology Clinic｜1F J&MALL, 2-27-1 Kami-Jujo, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0034
TEL: 03-6698-2509 ／ Business Hours: Daily 9:00〜21:00 (Irregular holidays)