People staying home due to severe hayfever?

[TokyoJoeblow]

Ok, so I know most Japanese people are really serious about their jobs and need to go to work everyday or most likely be fired.

But what if there is a Japanese person or foreigner working at a full time job that has severe hayfever...would they ever be able to take time off work or possibly work from home to avoid going outside if they had a doctor note?

I was always curious about this. Since I only work part time and mostly teach private lessons, I can more easily stay home on a particularly terrible day with a high pollen count.

I realize most bosses would just tell their employees to wear masks, goggles outside, try different prescriptions, but there must be severe cases where people have tried everything.

Anyone on here get so bad some days that they don't even leave their house?

 

[Acid Burn]

I realize most bosses would just tell their employees to wear masks, goggles outside, try different prescriptions

I was actually gonna suggest just that. Haha. Or maybe something like this?

 

[Sudsy]

Japanese person or foreigner working at a full time job that has severe hayfever...would they ever be able to take time off work or possibly work from home to avoid going outside if they had a doctor note?

The expectation is generally that as they know they have a condition they will proactively deal with it. In most cases, that means going to a doctor and getting proper medication in addition to masks and glasses.

Our office, like many, has also installed air cleaners with HEPA filters, so inside the office is actually likely to be better than it is at home, and we have allergy sufferers who hang out in the break rooms after work just for that.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

I was actually gonna suggest just that. Haha. Or maybe something like this?

But does he keep wearing it like a boss when he goes outside to pick something up at the grocery store or the combini? lol

I have these ski goggles that I wear every time I go outside. They are just incredible when it comes to eye protection from pollen.

Way better than the pollen glasses as the wind just blows the pollen around the lens into my eyes lol.

Surprisingly, I get strange looks and some idiots actually say things like "wakaranai" or "nande?" when I'm riding past them on my bicycle. I feel like grabbing them by the lapels and saying that I'm obviously wearing goggles, a hat and a mask because I have kafunsho lol.

Thankfully, the overwhelming majority don't react negatively and most likely know the reason why. An older Japanese lady said wearing the goggles is a good idea and they look cool haha.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

So, I'm not big on vaccines and never get them but I'm thinking about having this done:

Allergic material injection (Hyposensitization)

Injection of a specific allergic material (allergen) such as cedar pollen, and increasing the injection amount of the allergic material, consequently raises immunity and prevents symptoms of hay fever.

Disadvantages are:

1. It takes a long time to have see results (it may take about half year to see results while receiving one injection per week)
2. The treatment is limited to only the specific allergy

Advantages are:

1. There are few side effects reported
2. The cost is low
3. Medical insurance is applicable for the treatment.

Although an injection once a week for 6 months is a huge pain in the ass...this would be a bigger pain in the ass:

On January 17, 2014 a new medicine was approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, which has potential to completely cure cedar pollinosis. It is called Sublingual immune therapy medicine "CEDARTOLEN® ". The new medicine is epoch-making in its method of treatment because you only drop the medicine solution under the tongue like eye-drops, wait for two minutes, and just swallow it. Clinical trials show that a suppressant effect of symptoms can be seen after one and a half years of one dose per day. This treatment is available for patients who are 12 years or older and the treatment needs to be administered for 2-3 years.

And then there is this route:

Histamine injection (Histaglobin injection)

This treatment is called nonspecific hyposensitization. Unlike hyposensitization its purpose is not to provide immunity to one specific allergen through the injection of said allergen, but to inject histamine to raise your overall general immunity. Treatment methods vary by hospital, and generally 3-12 injections within 1-2 week time span may significantly control an allergic reaction for about 3-4 months. Side effect risks and the expenses are similar to hyposensitization.

Please note that Steroid Injections work to reduce every allergic reaction and seem to show great improvement of symptoms, but it does not cure hay fever, it only helps to reduce inflammation from hay fever. Various negative side effects can arise from steroids, and because of this it is not recommended by the Oto-rhino-laryngological Society of Japan.

Has anyone in here done the hyposensitization injections once a week for 6 months?

I don't even know for sure if this is a cure or just a treatment that relieves the severity of hayfever symptoms. Also, even if it does relieve the severity of the symptoms...would it be forever or only for the following spring?

Of course I plan to ask about all these options with my doctor when I go to the clinic for refills on my medicine, but thought I would ask on here.

@Durg50 I know you mentioned you had 2 injections last spring. Were these hyposensitization injections or histamine injections?

 

[Acid Burn]

But does he keep wearing it like a boss when he goes outside to pick something up at the grocery store or the combini? lol

It was just a Sora news article but this what it would look like. Haha

Way better than the pollen glasses as the wind just blows the pollen around the lens into my eyes lol.

I have pollen glasses too but yeah they only help some as those air gaps between glasses and face still lets some in.

 

[Sudsy]

the wind just blows the pollen around the lens into my eyes lol.

Just go to a motorcycle gear shop. They all sell sunglasses with a gasket to keep wind out - my wife's cousin wears them this time of year.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Just go to a motorcycle gear shop. They all sell sunglasses with a gasket to keep wind out - my wife's cousin wears them this time of year.

Those look badass. I'ｍ going to look into these at some local motorcycle shops.

Thank you for this.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Another annoyance is that it isn't good to drink alcohol while taking medicine for hayfever.

Hayfever meds are actually cockblockers in that I can't drink while taking them. Drinking helps a lot when doing daygame or nampa.

I can pull being sober, but it is just so much more fun to do while drinking lol.

 

[Simonka]

Oh Tokyojoe, it’s like you input every data point and run it through the process of “mulling.” Analyzing is good but it’s also a long way between interest and commitment and sometimes it slows down life, doesn’t it?

I’m sure you’ll do okay. I’m allergic to many things to the point I’m surprised at still being alive and I can’t drink either. Doesn’t cost me the good things in life..

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Oh Tokyojoe, it’s like you input every data point and run it through the process of “mulling.” Analyzing is good but it’s also a long way between interest and commitment and sometimes it slows down life, doesn’t it?

I’m sure you’ll do okay. I’m allergic to many things to the point I’m surprised at still being alive and I can’t drink either. Doesn’t cost me the good things in life..

Yes, I agree that I often over-analyze things and I'm just a curious person by nature. I have been in a more positive mindset lately.

One thing that sucks is I consider alcohol one of the good things in life haha.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Just go to a motorcycle gear shop. They all sell sunglasses with a gasket to keep wind out - my wife's cousin wears them this time of year.

So I called around various Motorcycle shops, Sporting Goods shops, Bicycle shops and Glasses shops. They all said they don't have any type of sunglasses with the inner lens padding that could be used to keep out pollen.

Only one Motorcycle shop said they do sell them but only as a set with a motorcycle helmet, so I would have to buy the set...which I'm not going to do.

I will just order them online next year as the Sugi pollen season is going to end in a few weeks anyway. I will just make sure I'm ready for next year.

 

[Hofmeyer]

Maid friend of mine went into anaphylaxis from hay fever. By the time she got to the hospital she could barely see from fluid buildup behind her cornea and was starting to have trouble breathing.

Fucking crazy

 

[Sudsy]

Buddy said check Naps or Ricoland, or Harley dealers. Places that sell cruiser motorcycle stuff.

 

[User#8628]

Maid friend of mine went into anaphylaxis from hay fever. By the time she got to the hospital she could barely see from fluid buildup behind her cornea and was starting to have trouble breathing.

Fucking crazy

Poor thing

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Maid friend of mine went into anaphylaxis from hay fever. By the time she got to the hospital she could barely see from fluid buildup behind her cornea and was starting to have trouble breathing.

Fucking crazy

Sorry to hear that about your friend. That is quite horrifying. Did this happen this year?

That is why I go to extremes and even wear things like ski goggles when I go outside. I don't give a shit if I look like a space cadet. At least I won't end up like that...well, I hope not. I hope it doesn't happen to your friend again.

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Buddy said check Naps or Ricoland, or Harley dealers. Places that sell cruiser motorcycle stuff.

Ok, so I'm bookmarking this thread because of this. I just checked out these places online and they have a ton of stuff. Thanks for the name drops.

 

[warubuta]

Along with my normal meds, this year I also opted for an injection. 3,500 yen. I have no idea what it was. I didn’t bother to ask, and I was provided no documentation other than ‘アレルギー注射. Game changer! I have been symptom free for about two weeks now. Normally I would be pretty miserable even with the tablets.

 

[MikeH]

Along with my normal meds, this year I also opted for an injection. 3,500 yen. I have no idea what it was. I didn’t bother to ask, and I was provided no documentation other than ‘アレルギー注射. Game changer! I have been symptom free for about two weeks now. Normally I would be pretty miserable even with the tablets.

Cocaine?

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Along with my normal meds, this year I also opted for an injection. 3,500 yen. I have no idea what it was. I didn’t bother to ask, and I was provided no documentation other than ‘アレルギー注射. Game changer! I have been symptom free for about two weeks now. Normally I would be pretty miserable even with the tablets.

Game changer you say? Damn...well, I can go for one of these injections. Without the injection, is your hayfever severe or more mild?

When did you have this injection done?

 

[Hofmeyer]

If it's the injection I'm thinking of, make sure to disclose any medical issues. People with diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease among many other things cannot get the shot safely.

Sorry to hear that about your friend. That is quite horrifying. Did this happen this year?

That is why I go to extremes and even wear things like ski goggles when I go outside. I don't give a shit if I look like a space cadet. At least I won't end up like that...well, I hope not. I hope it doesn't happen to your friend again.

Yeah just recently. She's OKish now but her eyes are still too messed up to wear her contacts. I think it was aggravated by stress though, this last month all kinds of shit has happened to her and she's not eating right. Kind of worried about her.

 

[warubuta]

Game changer you say? Damn...well, I can go for one of these injections. Without the injection, is your hayfever severe or more mild?

When did you have this injection done?

Two weeks ago. As I said, I am suffering much less compared to previous years, and I am taking the same meds. Only difference is the injection. Does anyone know if the pollen is less this year or more?

 

[TokyoJoeblow]

Two weeks ago. As I said, I am suffering much less compared to previous years, and I am taking the same meds. Only difference is the injection. Does anyone know if the pollen is less this year or more?

I came across a link that said the pollen count this year is like 70% lower than last year...but of course I can't find the goddamn link now.

If I find it, I will post it on here.

If you don't mind sharing, what are the names of the meds you are taking?

Everyone I meet that has hayfever seems to taking different meds, which all work. There sure are a shitload of different kinds though.

 

[dorkyluv]

Jesus....Japan hayfever sound worst than the western states. Is it that bad? Planning to visit in beginning of May.

 

[Hofmeyer]

It's not so bad around May. Usually you need to be here for a few years to build up to this kind of reaction. Like I'm mostly fine and been here for a year or so.