“Hay Fever Is Just Too Much” We Asked a Doctor at Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital About the Latest Treatments [Dr. Nishitsu]

Every year around this season, don’t you start thinking, “I’m so done with this,” because of sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes?

Pollen Information | Nishinomiya City Website

The Nishinomiya City website also publishes pollen information. It usually starts around mid-February, so getting prepared early is key.

When hay fever symptoms start, a lot of people probably just try to get through it with over-the-counter medicine. But actually, the treatment options available at hospitals have expanded a lot.

So we went and asked a doctor from the Department of Otolaryngology at Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital!

Here it is on the map↓

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

Q. Please tell us about recent treatments for allergic rhinitis

Broadly speaking, there are three steps. I’ll explain them one by one.

We heard from Dr. Masayuki Kitano, Director of the Department of Otolaryngology at Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital〜

[PR] This article is brought to you by Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital. The content is intended to provide general medical information and does not guarantee the effectiveness of any specific treatment. Symptoms vary from person to person, and treatment results also vary. Please be sure to visit a medical institution for a specific diagnosis and treatment.

① Self-care comes first!

Honestly, what should we do before taking medicine?

Before using medicine, the foundation of all treatment is to “avoid and reduce” the substances causing the symptoms.

• On days with high pollen levels, avoid going out
• Use a mask and glasses to physically block pollen
• When you get home, brush pollen off your jacket at the entrance
• Use nasal rinsing to wash away pollen and allergens

A lot of people may never have tried nasal rinsing. Being able to wash pollen away directly sounds refreshing〜!

② Medication can be chosen to match your symptoms

There seem to be many kinds of medicines used at hospitals. What options are there?

We suggest combinations of several medicines depending on the type and severity of your symptoms.

Basic combinations: Antihistamines, anti-leukotriene drugs, nasal steroid sprays, etc.

Sublingual immunotherapy: A treatment in which small amounts of cedar pollen or mite extract are taken daily, with the goal of improving the body’s allergic tendency. (Continuing for 3 to 5 years is recommended.)

Anti-IgE antibody injections: An option for people with severe symptoms when existing treatments have not been effective enough.

Apparently, sublingual immunotherapy just means placing medicine under your tongue every day. It takes time, but for people who have been struggling for years, it may be a treatment worth considering!

③ If medicine does not work well enough, surgery may also be an option

My symptoms are really severe. Are there any methods besides medication?

When you hear “surgery,” it may sound like something major, but there are also treatments that can be done in a short outpatient visit.

Nasal laser treatment: This aims to suppress allergic reactions by using a laser to cauterize the mucous membrane of the inferior turbinate(kabikokai). It can be performed as an outpatient procedure in about 30 minutes(estimate). However, results vary from person to person.

Inferior turbinate bone resection / posterior nasal neurectomy: For people with severe symptoms, these treatments aim to reduce symptoms by adjusting the structure of the nose itself or blocking the nerves.

It’s useful to know that laser treatment can be done as an outpatient procedure. If medication alone doesn’t improve your symptoms, knowing this option exists may make it easier to discuss it when you see a doctor.

If these symptoms continue, see a doctor early

Rather than putting up with it and thinking, “It’ll get better eventually,” seeing a doctor early lets you discuss a treatment plan that fits you.

※Please ask the doctor anything you’re wondering about hay fever〜. Your question may be selected〜

Information on Nishinomiya Watanabe Hospital Department of Otolaryngology

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

Going out less because of hay fever? What about lack of exercise…

When pollen is really bad, it’s easy to feel reluctant to go outside. Even walks or jogging turn into “The pollen is terrible today, so maybe I’ll skip it…” and before you know it, you’ve barely exercised for months.

Here↓

Lack of exercise can affect stamina, sleep quality, and stress, so having an exercise habit can also help with managing your physical condition.

For people like that, we want you to know about 健康塾, located across the Higashigawa River from Nishinomiya Watanabe Heart, Brain and Vascular Center, on the 1st floor of Central Garden Tower.

へぇ〜 19