Any tips for dealing with hayfever in Japan? The over-the-counter claritin does... zero. I was hoping it might pass in a week or so, but I remain a goopy mess.
I could... visit the doctor... but that seems like a lot of hassle compared to just asking everyone on mastodon 😉
(Japan medicine tends to be different brands, and often weaker, than the overseas counterpart. I know what I could get in the UK or US, but unsure if there's anything reasonably effective in Japan.)
@elizabethtasker fluticasone nasal spray https://www.flunase.jp — it’s available otc here but a bit pricey; rx will save you some money. Takes about 2 days to be really effective, but it’s the difference between misery and feeling normal for me w/o any other side effects.
@elizabethtasker Looks like you;ve fond something, but for what it's worth, I went through a phase of severe hayfever some years back. Heavy doses of vitamin C seemed to help, and the following year, I started taking it before hay fever season, which was much better. Can't recall how much I took, but it was a lot, which was apparently the trick. Also can't recall where I saw this suggestion, but maybe it's look-uppable.
@knud I can search くすりのしおり, but I was looking for personal experiences as many medicines in Japan are either prescription only, weaker or in much lower doses than their western counterpart. Anyway, I've found one to try!
Sorry, I should have written more than one word: I'm using this in this dose, though not in Japan. One tablet in the evening, not making me drowsy at all. One could up the dose to 2 if needed.
Trying this one (Alesion)! And so far… it’s pretty good 👍🏻 It’s one tablet a day, and I’m a bit skeptical over what fraction of the 24 hours it’ll hold 😅 However, so far (about 5 hours) it’s had a bigger impact than Claritin for me 😀. Apparently, アレジオン used to be on prescription but has recently become over-the-counter in Japan, so maybe it’s got more clout than average.
@elizabethtasker Interesting. I was prescribed ストナリニS more than a decade ago and I never even considered looking for something else lol
I am unhappy with how dry it makes my nose though. Let me know if you still like this one in a few days, I could give it a try!
@elizabethtasker The pollen masks work really well in Japan. I get seasonal allergies but was happy to be able to use something other than drugs. I seem to remember they even had discreet filters you could put up your nose!
@Heinke N95 masks aren't available in Japan (there's KN94 seems to be the best one). I didn't know there were special pollen ones? I don't think I've seen those...
@elizabethtasker Yamamoto makes some N95 masks, but they might be hard to find. Anything with a head strap instead of ear loops usually fit a lot better, but whatever works for you. I see the pollen mask are often just fabric, probably not so good
@A_bee Claritin definitely doesn't work. I did think about doubling-up, but I'm always a bit wary in case it's not just weaker than the western version, but also contains other ingredients.
Claritin and Allegra are both available over the counter (here in the US anyway) and they are different, sometimes one will work when the other fails. Something to try.
@mikejackmin Unfortunately, as I mentioned, "over the counter" is country-dependent, and what is available in the US isn't the same as what is available in Japan. Even medicine with the same name (like claritin) often isn't the same strength or formula.
@mikejackmin That said... there is an "allegra" version here (I just checked), although seems to be marketed at kids (which rather hints it may be pathetic in power!). Still, might be worth trying...
@mikejackmin I'm really looking for a personal recommendation from someone who might have taken the Japan version (and knows its otc and can attest to reasonable effectiveness!). But thank you.
@mikejackmin Yes, this is a very typical problem and explains as I mention above, why Allegra is perhaps marketed at children here. I could double-up the dose, but I'm wary incase there's extra ingredients beyond the active one that aren't halved (this is difficult to check). I know the medicine in the US very well, but it just doesn't translate exactly to Japan.
This is why it's quite helpful to ask people who live in Japan for their first-hand experience.
@CharleneTeglia Not over-the-counter in Japan. I can see a doctor, but it means taking an afternoon or morning off work (perhaps not avoidable, but worth checking for a quick fix first!)
@cameronlamp I probably need to drag myself to the doctor! It's not expensive, it's just time. But I'd probably just need to do it the once for the season.
@elizabethtasker I get Xyzal monthly from my doctor, but I see him mostly because I take daily cedar pollen tablets that I dissolve under my tongue - they're really helped reduce my reaction to cedar pollen