Allergic rhinitis

🌿Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a condition whose main symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. Symptoms appear when allergens (proteins that cause symptoms such as runny nose and nasal congestion) that cause allergies are inhaled into the nose and bind to IgE antibodies on mast cells (Type I allergy). In addition to nasal symptoms, allergic diseases such as allergic conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and oral allergy syndrome, which cause itchy eyes, may occur concurrently. Allergic rhinitis caused by pollen and house dust (mite) antigens is increasing, and it is a common illness that affects one in two Japanese people.

•Perennial allergic rhinitis and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Allergic rhinitis is divided into "perennial allergic rhinitis" and "seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)" based on when symptoms appear. Perennial allergic rhinitis is mainly caused by indoor house dust (mites), but can also be caused by mold (fungi) or pets. Hay fever symptoms appear seasonally due to pollen such as cedar and cypress in early spring, and grasses and ragweed in summer and autumn. Hay fever was a disease more common in adults, but recently it has been affecting younger age groups, with onset in elementary school students and preschoolers. Symptoms include clear, watery nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose, and nosebleeds. About 70% of people also experience eye symptoms such as itchy and red eyes.

• For hay fever prevention in daily life, wearing a mask and glasses, and preventing pollen from entering your home are also important. When you return home, try to shake off pollen before entering, and try to keep windows closed as much as possible.

Hay fever treatment

There are two types of treatment: symptomatic treatment to relieve symptoms and allergen immunotherapy to gradually accustom the body to the antigen that causes the allergic reaction. Symptomatic treatment uses oral medications, nasal sprays, and eye drops to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes. Allergen immunotherapy involves administering small amounts of pollen extract to the body to weaken the excessive reaction to pollen. Currently, there are two methods of administration: receiving regular injections at the hospital or taking medication at home (sublingual administration).

• Our clinic offers sublingual immunotherapy, which has almost no serious side effects. The treatment period is 3 to 5 years, and it is known that the longer the treatment period (3, 4, or 5 years), the longer the duration of the effect. Symptoms of hay fever may reappear after some time has passed since discontinuing the medication, but resuming immunotherapy can quickly suppress symptoms.

Allergic symptoms such as hay fever can become more resistant to medication if they worsen. It is advisable to check pollen dispersion information and begin treatment before obvious symptoms appear.

🔔Sublingual immunotherapy for cedar pollen allergy and perennial allergic rhinitis caused by dust mites (house dust)

We offer sublingual immunotherapy for those with allergic rhinitis who are allergic to dust mites or cedar pollen.
Sublingual immunotherapy for cedar pollen allergy became covered by insurance in 2014, and for dust mite allergy in 2015. Patients taking the medication for the first time are required to undergo a blood test to confirm that their allergic rhinitis is caused by dust mites or cedar pollen. While it is not a fast-acting treatment, continuing to take the medication daily for several years, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms, can suppress them. Approximately 80% of patients who take the medication can expect to see positive results.

Sublingual immunotherapy for dust mites has been available since December 2017, and for cedar pollen since the end of June 2018, and is now applicable to children aged 5 and older. Following this expansion of eligibility, many patients, including parents, are choosing this treatment at our clinic.
As of January 2024, over 500 people have undergone dust mite sublingual immunotherapy, and over 200 people have undergone cedar sublingual immunotherapy. While symptomatic treatment can control symptoms, it cannot be expected to cure the condition. This treatment has the potential to alter the natural course of the disease by starting it early in its duration.

We will provide care to manage asthma, which often co-occurs in children, while simultaneously treating allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis, aiming for treatment continuity of three to five years.
• If you are interested, please inquire at the outpatient department. As it is covered by insurance, the treatment cost will be the same as conventional symptomatic treatment. Please also refer to the website below.