Many people in Japan today are suffering from pollinosis (hay fever). It is an allergic reaction to the pollen of certain plants and causes symptoms including sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.
In Japan, as many as about 60 types of plants are known to cause pollen allergy. In Tokyo, common allergy-causing plants and their pollen seasons are as follows:
* Japanese cedar "sugi" (February - April)
* Japanese cypress "hinoki" (mid March - early May)
* Rice plant "ine" (May - mid July / mid August - mid October)
* Ragweed "butakusa" (mid August - October)
* Artemisia "yomogi" (mid August - October)
People who are not currently affected by pollen may later develop allergic reactions as a result of constantly inhaling pollen in their daily lives. Japanese cedar (sugi) allergy is most common. In Tokyo, about one in 3.5 people is believed to suffer from sugi allergy.
During the sugi pollen season (February - April), weather forecasts usually provide information about the possible amount of pollen in the air. To avoid becoming allergic to pollen, or to reduce the symptoms, it is important to use masks and/or special eyeglasses to effectively block pollen from getting into your body as much as possible.
If you know you are allergic to pollen, it is advised to get prescriptions for appropriate medication before pollen levels get high. Visit a doctor two weeks before the season starts at the very latest. Ask your doctor if you need to continue taking the medication throughout the season after the symptoms ease; they may quickly come back and be worse if you stop taking the medication in the middle of the season.
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