4月もつらい花粉症、症状出る年と出ない年の差はなんなん？西宮の先生に聞いた【Dr.にしつー】

In our previous article, we wrote “Please ask the doctor anything you’re curious about regarding hay fever. We may use your question in a future article.” And sure enough, we quickly received a question from a Nishitsu reader!

Here’s the previous article on the latest treatment↓

「花粉症がツラすぎる」西宮渡辺病院の先生に最新の治療法を聞いてきた【Dr.にしつー】

2026年2月24日

Thank you so much!!

Here’s the question↓

Question from a reader

“When it comes to hay fever, why do symptoms appear in some years but not in others?”

Sometimes last year was absolutely awful, but this year isn’t so bad… Or the opposite happens, and you’re like, “Isn’t this year kind of terrible??”

So, continuing from last time, we went back to ask Dr. Kitano from the Department of Otolaryngology at Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital!

「花粉症がツラすぎる」西宮渡辺病院の先生に最新の治療法を聞いてきた【Dr.にしつー】

2026年2月24日

Here it is on the map↓

The address is 10-22 Murogawacho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture.

1 Q. Why do symptoms appear in some years but not in others?
2 It’s easier to understand if you think of it like “water in a cup”
3 There are other factors too

Q. Why do symptoms appear in some years but not in others?

The biggest reason is that “the amount of airborne pollen changes every year.” Cedar pollen in particular varies a lot from year to year.

Wait, the amount of pollen isn’t the same every year?

Not at all. We know that when there are more hours of sunlight in the previous summer, the amount of pollen released the following year increases.

So last summer has something to do with it…! I didn’t realize it was decided that far in advance

It’s easier to understand if you think of it like “water in a cup”

People with hay fever produce antibodies that react to pollen, called IgE antibodies. But symptoms don’t appear unless the amount of pollen exceeds a certain threshold.

So it’s like water building up in a cup, and once it overflows, the symptoms come pouring out?

That’s exactly the image! In years with less pollen, the cup doesn’t overflow, so you feel like “I was fine this year.” But in years with a lot of pollen, it overflows all at once, and you end up wondering, “Why is it so bad this year?!”

So it doesn’t mean you’re “cured.” It just means there happened to be less pollen that year…?

That’s right. Even in years with less airborne pollen, the sensitized state inside the body remains. If a year with a lot of pollen comes along, symptoms may appear again.

There are other factors too

Are there things besides the amount of pollen that matter?

Yes. Even in years with the same pollen levels, some people have severe symptoms while others are fine. These kinds of factors are also involved.

Things besides pollen levels that affect symptoms

●Stress
When stress levels are high, immune reactions are more likely to become excessive. So it’s very possible that hay fever feels worse in years when work is especially tough.

●Air pollution and yellow dust
Polluted air and the yellow dust that arrives in early spring can combine with pollen and make symptoms worse.

●Age
As people get older, their immune function changes, and some say their symptoms have become easier to deal with than before. However, some people develop hay fever for the first time even at age 70, so it’s important not to let your guard down.

Stress matters too, huh! Reading Nishitsu’s articles about new openings around Nishinomiya and enjoying the city might be a good way to relieve stress too～

Yamada Store in Nishinomiya Hamacho opens March 28 with Nishinomiya-exclusive Yamada Pizza

2026年3月12日

Sukesan Udon in Sakura Shukugawa to hold pre-opening from April 4

2026年4月1日

Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital Department of Otolaryngology

Services available at the Department of Otolaryngology, Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital
・Allergy testing (blood tests, breath tests, etc.)
・Oral medication treatment
・Sublingual immunotherapy
・Injection treatment
・Nasal laser treatment
・Surgical treatment
※All of the above treatments are covered by insurance.

Where to visit: Otolaryngology outpatient department
Advance reservations (AI phone): 050-1808-7183
Weekdays 8:30〜16:30／Saturdays 8:30〜11:30
※The AI phone also accepts requests outside these hours! You’ll receive a call back on the next business day.
Same-day reservations: 0798-74-2630
※You can visit without a referral letter.

You can make a reservation with just one phone call. The hay fever season tends to get busy, so booking early is recommended. Also, you can actually visit without a referral letter, so no need to worry～

【PR】This article is brought to you by Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital. The information provided is intended as general medical information and does not guarantee the effectiveness of any specific treatment. Symptoms vary from person to person, and treatment results also vary.