Respiratory and allergies

Allergies, hay fever & hives

For sneezing, blocked nose, itching and hives

Online consultations available In-person care available

Ask us on LINE How it works

In Japanese,
with a medical interpreter

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24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Families
OK to consult together

Insurance and
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About

About Allergies, hay fever & hives

We treat hay fever, allergic rhinitis, hives, itchy skin and more. You can also ask about continuing your usual allergy medication.

Why it happens

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are normally harmless (such as pollen, dust mites, house dust, mold and food) and releases substances like histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itching. Hives are raised welts that form when fluid leaks from blood vessels in the skin. Besides food and medication, they can be triggered by fatigue, stress, sweat, temperature changes and infections, and in many cases the cause can't be identified.

What's happening in the body

An allergy begins when the immune system mistakenly treats a harmless substance as an enemy. The first time that substance (the allergen) enters the body, the immune system makes antibodies against it. There are no symptoms at this stage. The next time the same allergen enters, the antibodies catch it, and cells receiving the signal release substances such as histamine. Histamine causes symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching and red eyes. Sneezing and a runny nose are ways of washing the allergen out of the body. Most anti-allergy medications ease symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine. However, the reaction keeps happening as long as you're exposed to the allergen, so improving your environment is also important.

Main symptoms

Sneezing, watery runny nose, blocked nose
Itchy, red or watery eyes
Itchy skin, raised welts (hives)
Red skin, eczema
Scratchy throat, cough
Heavy head, difficulty concentrating
Swelling of the lips or face

When you can wait and see

What you can do yourself

Keep a record of likely causes and avoid them where possible
Reduce dust mites and dust by washing and drying bedding and cleaning often
Keep nails short so you don't damage your skin by scratching, and cool the area to ease itching
Bathe in water that isn't too hot, and moisturize
Avoid fatigue and lack of sleep (they can trigger hives)

Please consult us

If any of the following apply

Sneezing, runny nose or blocked nose is bothering you
You have itchy or red eyes
You've developed hives or itchy skin

Seek care right away

If any of the following apply

Breathlessness, wheezing or a hoarse voice (possible throat swelling)
Sudden swelling of the face, lips, eyelids or tongue
Hives all over the body with dizziness, feeling faint or losing consciousness (possible anaphylaxis)
Sudden whole-body symptoms with stomach pain or vomiting
A rash with raw skin, blisters or sores on the mucous membranes (possible severe drug reaction)

Don't wait for a Cotovia consultation; call the emergency number in your country.

See the emergency guide for each country

Clues

Sudden symptoms affecting several organs: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, reduced consciousness

Care

Consider emergency services immediately

* This is not a complete list. If you're not sure, please consult us.

When it might be something else

Course

Typical course

This is the general course. Actual progress varies from person to person.

Immediately to a few minutes after exposure
Sneezing, runny nose and itching begin

The first step is to get away from the cause
A few hours
Delayed symptoms such as a blocked nose may get stronger

If symptoms continue, ask us about medication options
While exposure continues
Symptoms keep coming back as long as you're exposed to the cause

Adjusting your environment is the fundamental approach
Several weeks or more
If it becomes chronic, the lining of the nose may stay swollen

Acting early helps prevent symptoms from becoming persistent

Local Insight

For people living in Southeast Asia

The climate, healthcare and access to medication differ from Japan. Here are points specific to this region.

In Southeast Asia there is almost no Japanese cedar or cypress pollen, but heat and humidity allow dust mites and mold to thrive all year. As a result, many people find that spring-only hay fever in Japan is replaced by year-round allergic rhinitis.

Mold growing inside air conditioners and on their filters is an easily overlooked cause of allergy symptoms. Regular cleaning may help.

Haze and air pollution can irritate the lining of the nose and eyes and make allergy symptoms worse.

Some people have allergic reactions for the first time to tropical foods (such as mango and cashew nuts) or to shellfish and peanuts in street food and local dishes. Labeling may be inadequate, so take particular care if you have a known allergy.

Care

What Cotovia can do

Assessing your symptoms through a consultation
Prescriptions for anti-allergy medication, nasal sprays and eye drops (prescribing is at the doctor's discretion)
Guidance on where to go if symptoms are severe or you have trouble breathing

Tests you may have

Not knowing what will happen can make people hesitate to seek care, so here's what actually takes place.

Medical history

Narrowing down allergens from when, where and in what situations symptoms occur

A few minutes None

Blood test

Checking which allergens you react to

Blood draw takes a few minutes Blood draw

Nasal examination

Checking swelling of the lining and the state of secretions

A few minutes Almost none

Treatment options

Antihistamines

Ease sneezing, runny nose and itching

Some types cause drowsiness, so let us know if you plan to drive

Nasal sprays

Reduce nasal inflammation and congestion

How to use them depends on the type. Decongestant sprays shouldn't be used continuously

Eye drops

Ease itchy and red eyes

Please ask us if you wear contact lenses

Adjusting your environment

Reduce the allergens themselves

Mainly dehumidifying, caring for bedding and cleaning air conditioners

* Tests, procedures and prescriptions are decided by the doctor after a consultation. Services may vary by country and location.

Preparation

Before your visit

When seeing a doctor abroad, simply organizing what you need to say makes a big difference.

What to bring

Passport or residence card
Insurance card and your insurer's contact details
The medication you used in Japan (the actual item or a photo)
Test results from Japan, if you have them

What to tell us

When, at what time of day and where symptoms occur
How it differs from when you were in Japan
Humidity, mold, pets and bedding in your home
How you use your air conditioner and how often it's cleaned
The medication you used in Japan and how well it worked

Self Care

What you can do yourself

Along with seeing a doctor, here are things to keep in mind in daily life.

Prevention

Dehumidify and ventilate indoors, and clean air conditioner filters regularly
Use dust mite covers on bedding
Wash your face and hands and change clothes after going out
Avoid known allergens and prepare for emergencies

How to Consult

How to be seen

Choose from 3 ways to be seen, depending on your symptoms and schedule. If you're not sure, we'll guide you on LINE.

Online consultations

See a doctor by video call from home or the office. Medication delivered or from a pharmacy.

Available for this symptom

In-person care

In-person consultations at our clinics and partner hospitals, including tests and procedures.

Available for this symptom

Cotovia Counter

Support with an interpreter for visits to general hospitals.

Available for this symptom

If an online consultation finds that tests or procedures are needed, we'll guide you to in-person care or Cotovia Counter.

From consultation to receiving medication

Add us on LINE and consult

Tell us your symptoms, and we'll recommend the right way to be seen.

Book and be seen

See a doctor online or at the nearest location, with an interpreter present.

Receive your medication

Have it delivered or pick it up at a pharmacy or the clinic (varies by country).

Follow-up

You can also consult us on LINE about how you're doing afterward.

Fees and insurance Payment methods and accepted insurance vary by country and location. Our doctors and medical interpreters Doctors who trained at medical schools in each country work as a team with Japanese interpreters.

Special Care

People who need extra care

Children

Mouth breathing and poor sleep from a blocked nose can affect your child's concentration during the day

Pregnant women

Some medications can't be used. Be sure to tell us if you could be pregnant

People who drive

Please ask us about medication less likely to cause drowsiness

People who have had anaphylaxis before

It's recommended to plan in advance what to do in an emergency

FAQ

Common questions before a visit, and common assumptions that lead people to judge for themselves.

QWhy do my symptoms last longer than when I was in Japan?

In a climate that's hot all year, dust mites and mold thrive year-round, so allergies that were seasonal in Japan can become year-round. Please consult us, and consider reviewing your living environment too.

QIs it OK to take allergy medication every day?

Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, taking it continuously may be suitable, or taking it only when needed may be better. Please use it as directed by a doctor.

QI suddenly broke out in hives. Can I get advice right away?

Yes. However, if you also have swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing or dizziness, it may be an emergency, so please consider local emergency services.

QCan I get an allergy test?

Whether a test is needed and what can be tested depends on your symptoms and the location. We'll arrange it if the doctor decides it's necessary.

Common misconceptions

Myth Hot countries don't have hay fever, so there's nothing to worry about

Fact There may be no cedar pollen, but dust mites and mold are a year-round problem

Myth The medication I used in Japan will definitely work

Fact If the allergen causing your symptoms has changed, it may not work as expected

Myth I only need to take medication after symptoms start

Fact If you know the cause, starting treatment before symptoms appear may be effective

Myth It's fine to keep using nasal decongestant sprays

Fact Using decongestant sprays for a long time can actually make congestion worse

Myth Allergies aren't life-threatening

Fact Anaphylaxis progresses rapidly. Trouble breathing or facial swelling needs emergency care

Feel free to ask us on LINE first

It's fine to contact us even if you're not sure you need to see a doctor. We're available in Japanese 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Symptoms
When it started
Your country of residence
How you'd like to be seen

Sending these 4 things helps us respond faster. It's fine if you don't have them all.

Ask us on LINE