the summer of the previous year

Whether large amounts of pollen are dispersed is greatly influenced by the previous summer’s weather, especially temperature and hours of sunshine. If summer temperatures reach 30°C or higher and there are many hot, sunny days, many flower buds that produce pollen will develop, making it easier for large quantities of pollen to be released the following spring. Conversely, in summers when the maximum temperature is around 25°C, the trees focus more on extending their branches than on producing flowers, so the amount of pollen dispersed the following spring tends to be lower.

yogurt

Fermented foods like yogurt are believed to improve gut health and help prevent or alleviate hay fever by balancing the immune system. Eating them together with foods such as honey or bananas, which contain oligosaccharides that serve as food for lactic acid bacteria, can help increase those beneficial bacteria.

Layer gauze on the inside of the mask

By layering gauze on the inside of your mask, you can further prevent the intrusion of fine pollen particles. Continuing to use the same mask is counterproductive, and wetting the outside reduces breathability, so you can’t expect it to be effective. Pollen-specific masks are also sold commercially, so why not give them a try?

About one in two

According to a recent survey by the Journal of the Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan, 42.5% of Japanese people—roughly one in two—are said to have hay fever. Pollen from Japanese cedar and cypress is a major cause, and the number of patients has been increasing year by year.

dog

Hay fever develops when antibodies are produced in the body, so dogs can also get hay fever. When dogs have hay fever, they may exhibit symptoms similar to humans, such as sneezing, itching, and dermatitis. Incidentally, turtles, goldfish, and insects do not have antibodies, so they do not get hay fever.

Sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes

The main symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. Fever and numbness in the hands and feet are not commonly seen with hay fever. However, allergy symptoms vary from person to person and in severity, so it is important to make appropriate judgments and receive proper treatment.

spring

Cedar pollen disperses especially heavily from February to April. This season marks the beginning of warmer weather and the spring when new life sprouts. Therefore, symptoms of cedar pollen allergy are most likely to appear in spring. It is said that the amount of pollen in the air tends to increase particularly on warm, windy days.