世論 What Japan Thinks

With the main hay fever, in particular cedar fever, season nearly over, this report from japan.internet.com on a survey by goo Research Inc into hay fever is interesting to see how it has affected people this spring.

Demographics

Between the 3rd and 5th of April 2008 1,096 members of the goo Research online monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 52.9% of the sample was male, 16.4% in their teens, 18.1% in their twenties, 21.2% in their thirties, 16.3% in their forties, 16.1% in their fifties, and 11.9% aged sixty or older.

I actually had my worst hay fever this year, when about three weeks ago my nose started running freely. I went to a local ear, nose and throat clinic and got some anti-histamines, nasal spray and eye drops. The pills knocked me for six, such that I was unable to take the prescribed two per day, just one, and I quit after three days. The nose spray did the trick, though, and although it lasted less than two weeks I’ve had almost no problems even after it finished.
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With the hay fever season upon us, and predictions of between three to five times the amount of cedar pollen flying around compared to last year, and with yellow sand from China also paying a visit, this recent survey from DIMSDRIVE Research into hay fever is quite timely.

Demographics

Between the 6th and 14th of February 2008 10,665 members of the DIMSDRIVE Monitors completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 52.8% of the sample was female, 1.2% in their teens, 14.9% in their twenties, 35.8% in their thirties, 29.1% in their forties, 13.3% in thei fifties, and 5.7% aged sixty or older.

Pictured above is Hello Kitty-branded Hana (nose) Celeb lotion-impregnated tissues that may or may not prevent redness after blowing one’s nose a lot while suffering from hay fever.

The thing that irritates me the most about hay fever in others is the Japanese reluctance to blow their noses in public, as it is too embarrassing compared to pulling a face as one makes sniffing noises at regular intervals. It’s almost enough to get me over my dislike of MP3 players and drown out the rest of the carriage on the ride home.

I don’t get cedar hay fever fortunately, although I do have a couple of other allergies that usually result in a runny nose and the occassional sneeze.

Last year I looked at a similar survey into hay fever by MyVoice that might be a useful cross-reference.
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Recently MyVoice performed a timely survey on aspects of hay fever, interviewing 16,259 people, 54% female, by means of a survey of their internet monitor group. In the sample there were 3% teenagers, 23% in their twenties, 38% in their thirties, 24% in their forties, and 12% in their fifties.

The largest cause of hay fever in Japan is cedar trees, but luckily I am mostly resistant to that, although back in the UK I used to have pretty serious problems with rapeseed (canola) pollen.

In question six there appears 甜茶, tencha, which is apparently some kind of rose-based Chinese herbal tea that I had never heard of, yet over one in five Japanese sufferers drink to alleviate their symptoms.

Another quite popular curative, 凍頂烏龍茶, touchou oolong tea (which has a different Chinese pronounciation, but I can’t find a reference to it) is served hot at one of my favourite restaurants, and it really is a very relaxing digestive after a big meal, but I know nothing about any presumed rhinitis-related benefits!

Q1: Do you suffer from hay fever? (Sample size=16,259)

Yes, serious hay fever	12.0%
Yes, mild hay fever	26.5%
Used to have it but not now	8.5%
Never had hay fever	43.0%
Don’t know what hay fever is	10.1%

Q2: When did you first become aware of having hay fever? (Sample size=either 6,259 or 7,641 approximately, hay fever sufferers)

This year	0.4%
Last year	8.2%
Two or three years ago	17.5%
Four or five years ago	17.2%
Six to ten years ago	17.0%
Over ten years ago	32.1%
Can’t remember	7.0%
No answer	0.7%

Note that since this survey took place at the start of February, before the pollen season properly starts, the number of new sufferers for this year would naturally be very low. However, the 8.2% breaking out last year is a bit of a worrying figure.

Q3: Where or what do you consult for information regarding hay fever? (Sample size=either 6,259 or 7,641 approximately, hay fever sufferers, multiple answer)

Television programs	78.2%
Internet	42.9%
Newspaper column	34.5%
Doctor or pharmacy	33.7%
Word-of-mouth from friends	30.9%
Magazine column	16.4%
Radio program	5.2%
Specialist books	3.1%
Other	2.9%
No answer	1.1%

Q4: What hay fever symptoms are you afflicted by? (Sample size=either 6,259 or 7,641 approximately, hay fever sufferers, multiple answer)

Runny nose	83.3%
Itchy eyes	80.4%
Sneezing	66.9%
Stuffed nose	54.2%
Wooly head	34.3%
Bloodshot eyes	30.1%
Sore throat	19.4%
Sore eyes	16.6%
Headache	14.8%
Itchy all over	10.7%
Coughing	10.4%
Other	2.9%
No answer	1.4%

Q5: What measures do you take to avoid or reduce hay fever symptoms? (Sample size=either 6,259 or 7,641 approximately, hay fever sufferers, multiple answer)

Over-the-counter eyewash, eyedrops	42.0%
Mask	39.7%
Prescription medicine	36.4%
Sweets or gum	31.5%
Over-the-counter internal medicines	28.9%
Over-the-counter nasal sprays or drops	24.8%
Anti-hay fever food and drink	20.5%
Air filter	19.8%
Over-the-counter gargle solution	10.9%
Glasses or goggles	8.5%
Lotion-impregnated tissues	7.7%
Aromatherapy	3.2%
Clothes drier	3.0%
Other over-the-counter medicine	1.9%
Laser treatment	0.7%
Other	3.1%
Don’t use anything in particular	9.8%
No answer	1.3%

Q6: What food or drink do you take to avoid or reduce hay fever symptoms? (Sample size=either 6,259 or 7,641 approximately, hay fever sufferers, multiple answer)

Yogurt or other lactic acid drinks	27.3%
Tencha	22.7%
Sweets or gum	17.4%
Natto	10.3%
Herb tea	7.7%
Shiso leaves, seeds or juice	7.7%
Green vegetables	5.5%
凍頂烏龍茶 Touchou oolong tea	5.1%
Other teas not specifically mentioned	4.8%
Anti-hay fever cool drinks	4.7%
Moromi or apple vinegar, etc	4.2%
Aojiru	3.0%
Guava tea	3.0%
Blue fish	2.4%
Benifuuki tea	1.0%
Tomato skins	1.0%
Other	2.5%
Nothing in particular	41.2%
No answer	2.1%