[For General Audience] Little-Known Trivia and Fun Facts About Hay Fever

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

Every year when pollen season arrives, many people struggle with sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Hay fever, which afflicts many Japanese people, is no longer someone else’s problem.

Surprisingly, this very familiar condition hides plenty of little-known trivia and fun facts that may make you say, “Really?” In this article, we’ve gathered a wide range of general-interest trivia and tidbits about hay fever.

Many of them are useful for everyday prevention just by knowing them, so whether you suffer from hay fever or not, be sure to check them out!

[For the general public] A roundup of surprisingly little-known trivia & fun facts about hay fever (1–10)

The economic loss caused by hay fever is about 24.5 billion yen per day.NEW!

These are surprising figures that reveal the unexpected social impact of hay fever.

Symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes reduce concentration at work and increase absenteeism and tardiness, leading to decreased productivity.

In addition, with medical expenses and the cost of anti-pollen products, the economic loss is estimated to reach approximately 245 billion yen in a single day.

Recognizing that hay fever affects not only individuals’ health but society as a whole underscores the importance of early prevention and countermeasures.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

Grass pollen allergy, ragweed pollen allergy, and Japanese cedar pollen allergy are said to be the three major pollen allergies in the world.NEW!

Here are key points to remember when learning about the main types of hay fever.

There are many plants around the world that can cause hay fever, but the pollens of grasses (Poaceae), ragweed (Ambrosia), and Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria) in particular trigger allergic reactions in many people and are known as the “world’s three major causes of hay fever.” Their dispersal periods and symptom patterns differ slightly, and the pollens you need to watch for vary by season and region.

Knowing that familiar plants can be the cause will help you stay mindful of prevention and countermeasures in daily life.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

More and more children are developing hay fever.NEW!

Here are some key points reflecting recent changes in living environments.

Hay fever used to be seen mainly in adults, but in recent years more children—even preschoolers and elementary school students—have been developing it.

This is thought to be related to various factors, including air pollution in urban areas, changes in living conditions, and increases in pollen from cedar and cypress trees.

Because children may have difficulty clearly expressing their symptoms, it’s important for caregivers to notice signs such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

Early measures and treatment can sometimes alleviate symptoms, so it’s reassuring for the whole family to understand hay fever.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

There are about 60 types of plants that carry pollen causing hay fever.NEW!

Not only well-known culprits like cedar (sugi), cypress (hinoki), and ragweed, but also grasses, daisies (Asteraceae), birch, mugwort, and other plants commonly found nearby can cause hay fever.

Because the types and amounts of pollen dispersed vary by season, some people experience symptoms not only in spring but also in summer and autumn.

Knowing that there are many potential trigger plants makes it easier to imagine which pollen you might be reacting to and helps you take practical measures in daily life, such as using masks and glasses or managing when to open and close windows.

It can also prompt you to pay more attention to the natural environment in everyday life, not just during hay fever season.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

People who suffer from hay fever should visit a hospital before the pollen starts to spread.

When spring arrives, pollen from cedar and cypress trees begins to spread, and some people develop what are commonly known as hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.

For those who suffer from hay fever, it’s recommended to visit a clinic before symptoms start—that is, before the pollen begins to disperse.

Starting medication before symptoms appear can help weaken the body’s reaction to pollen.

There are medicines that prevent itching in the nose and eyes, as well as those that suppress the body’s internal response to pollen.

By consulting a doctor and preparing before spring comes, you may be able to get through pollen season a bit more comfortably.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem