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, å‡é ‚çƒé¾èŒ¶, 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% å‡é ‚çƒé¾èŒ¶ 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%
1 Comment
Allen Henebry · June 10, 2013 at 01:41
One common cause of a red eye is straining or coughing. This can lead to a bright red, dense bloody area on the white part of the eye. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage. Although this bloody area may appear alarming, it is a fairly common occurrence and of little significance. If you notice a bloody spot in one eye that doesn’t hurt, but just looks bad, don’t worry. It should clear up on its own within a week or two…^,..