Fall hay fever prevention: Tips for managing medication
- H.Kitaoka
- Oct 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
*The content is based on hay fever in Japan.
Introduction
When it comes to hay fever, many people probably imagine a runny nose caused by cedar pollen in the spring. However, in reality, many people suffer from hay fever in the fall as well. The main causes of autumn hay fever are weeds such as ragweed, mugwort, and Chinese knotweed. Because they are short, they don't seem to "fly in large numbers" like the cedars in the spring, but they grow everywhere, such as in riverbanks, vacant lots, and roadsides, and more people than you'd think are suffering from the symptoms.
In addition to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, autumn hay fever can also cause dizziness, making it difficult to concentrate on work or study, and can lead to poor quality sleep and continued poor health. How can you best deal with the painful effects of autumn hay fever and medication? In this article, we will introduce easy-to-understand information for patients on "countermeasures for autumn hay fever" and "correct use of medication."
Plants that cause autumn hay fever
The most common pollen grains that fly in the fall are:
ragweed: Disperses from late August to October. Found on roadsides, in vacant lots, and on riverbanks.
mugwort: Most common from September to October. This is caused by pollen from weeds, not mugwort, which is used in cooking and traditional Chinese medicine.
Kanamgura: A climbing plant that releases pollen from September to October.
These are short, making them easy to inhale when walking, jogging, or mowing the grass.
Are the symptoms the same as in spring?
The symptoms of hay fever in autumn are basically the same as those in spring.
Runny nose/stuffy nose
sneeze
Itchy, bloodshot, watery eyes
Itchy or uncomfortable throat
Headaches and difficulty concentrating
Also, autumn marks the change of seasons, and the mornings and evenings get colder, making it difficult to distinguish between colds and other illnesses. If you have a persistent runny nose or cough, it's a good idea to consider whether it might not be a cold but hay fever.
Medication Basics: Three Types
There are three main types of medications for hay fever:
Antihistamines
A drug that suppresses histamine, which causes allergic symptoms.
Effective for runny nose, sneezing and itching.
There are types that cause drowsiness easily and types that cause less drowsiness.
Nasal sprays (such as steroid nasal sprays)
Effective for stuffy nose.
Because it is sprayed directly into the nose, it has minimal impact on the entire body and is easy to use over the long term.
eye drops
Effective for itchy and bloodshot eyes.
There are anti-allergy eye drops and steroid eye drops.
Depending on the symptoms, a combination of oral medications, nasal sprays, and eye drops can significantly improve quality of life.
Tips for managing medication well
Instead of just taking hay fever medicine when symptoms appear, you can find much better relief by using it in a slightly more creative way.
1. Start using it early
It is more effective to start taking medication as soon as you think pollen is about to start flying, rather than waiting until symptoms become severe when you start taking medication. By suppressing the allergic reaction with medication before it occurs, symptoms will be milder.
2. Choose the right medication for you
Choose a medicine that suits your lifestyle, such as "I want a medicine that doesn't make me sleepy" or "I want to use nasal drops mainly because I have a stuffy nose." Consulting a pharmacist will give you advice based on drug interactions and your lifestyle.
3. Tips for preventing forgetting to take your medicine
It is important to take your hay fever medication every day. To avoid forgetting to take it:
Make it a habit to drink it after breakfast
Use a pill case
Set an alarm using the smartphone app
There are several methods such as:
4. Be aware of side effects
Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness or dry mouth. People who drive or operate machinery should be careful. If you are worried about drowsiness, it is safer to choose a drug called a "second-generation antihistamine," which is less likely to cause drowsiness.
What you can do with lifestyle habits other than medication
Rather than relying solely on medication, it is even more effective to incorporate lifestyle changes to avoid pollen.
Wear a mask and glasses when going out: Greatly prevents pollen from entering.
Dry laundry indoors: Prevents pollen from adhering to and entering the home.
Tips for when you get home: Brush off any pollen that has stuck to your clothes or hair at the front door.
Cleaning tips: Wipe flooring with water and vacuum carpets slowly.
These everyday tips will help make your medication even more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1. What is the difference between over-the-counter medicines and hospital medicines?→ Over-the-counter medicines are designed to be "easy for anyone to buy," so they tend to contain fewer ingredients and have a limited variety. Medications prescribed by hospitals come in a wide variety and can be tailored to suit your symptoms.
Q2. Is it okay to take the medicine for a long time?→ Many hay fever medications are safe even when taken over a long period of time. You should be fine as long as you only take them while symptoms persist, but if you are unsure, consult a pharmacist or doctor.
Q3. Can children and the elderly drink it?→ There are medicines available that are safe for children and the elderly. Do not make your own decisions; always check with your doctor or pharmacist.
summary
Autumn hay fever is surprisingly less well known than spring hay fever, so many people mistake it for a cold, but if you take the right precautions, you can significantly alleviate the symptoms.
Start taking medicines early
Choosing the right medicine for you
Make an effort to remember to take your medicine
Avoid pollen through lifestyle changes
By keeping these things in mind, you can spend autumn comfortably. The key to hay fever is knowing how to deal with it. Pharmacies can provide advice based on your symptoms and lifestyle, so please feel free to consult them if you have any problems.
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