[National Survey on Hay Fever Experiences Among Elementary and Junior High School Students]
One in two elementary and junior high school students experiences hay fever! In Yamanashi Prefecture, which ranked first, a staggering two in three students
experienced hay fever. In Gunma Prefecture, which ranked second, and Shizuoka Prefecture, which ranked third, over 60% experienced hay fever.
The "severity index" tends to increase if countermeasures are delayed after the onset of symptoms.
To alleviate the severity of hay fever, take measures as soon as you feel symptoms.
February 5, 2025
ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, President: Masafumi Sugimoto) conducted a nationwide survey on the perception of hay fever among elementary and junior high school students ahead of the full-fledged start of the hay fever season. The results showed that 48% of elementary and junior high school students experience hay fever symptoms, and when broken down by prefecture, 67.6% in Yamanashi Prefecture, or about two out of three students, experienced hay fever. In addition, the average "hay fever severity index" for elementary and junior high school students, calculated by Rohto Pharmaceutical using 10 items and 10 levels each, was 44.1 points (out of a maximum of 100 points), with mood and stress being the most significant factors. Furthermore, the rate of elementary and junior high school students taking measures against hay fever was 70.2%, and it was found that the longer the period between the onset of hay fever and the start of measures, the higher the "hay fever severity index" tends to be. It is thought that taking measures early is important to alleviate the severity of hay fever.
Survey Summary
PART 1: The percentage of elementary and junior high school students who perceive hay fever
- 48% of elementary and junior high school students nationwide experience hay fever.
- The prefectures with the highest rates of experiencing hay fever among elementary and junior high school students are: 1st place: Yamanashi Prefecture (67.6%), 2nd place: Gunma Prefecture (63.0%), and 3rd place: Shizuoka Prefecture (62.6%).
PART 2: "Pollen Allergy Severity Index" for Elementary and Junior High School Students
- The average "severity index" for hay fever among elementary and junior high school students is 44.1 points.
- The prefectures ranked first in the "Pollen Allergy Severity Index" are Gifu (1st), Yamanashi (2nd), and Saitama (3rd).
- The most distressing symptom is "runny nose/nasal congestion," and the most impactful factor is "mood/stress."
PART 3: Hay Fever Countermeasures for Elementary and Junior High School Students
- The average rate of hay fever prevention measures among elementary and junior high school students who experience hay fever is 70.2%.
- Fukushima Prefecture ranked first in the rate of countermeasures, Chiba Prefecture second, and Kanagawa and Yamanashi Prefectures tied for third place.
- The number one measure taken was "masks," and in terms of diet, people also consumed foods unique to their region.
PART 4: When to start taking measures against hay fever for elementary and junior high school students
- The average age of onset for hay fever is 6.5 years old, and the average age of starting countermeasures is 7.0 years old, indicating that many parents begin taking measures soon after the onset of symptoms.
- If more than a year has passed since the onset of hay fever symptoms and you have not yet started taking countermeasures, your "hay fever severity index" is 49.8 points, which is higher than average.
Column: Model prefectures for hay fever countermeasures and the rate of parents and children experiencing hay fever.
- The "parent-child hay fever experience rate," meaning that parents also experience hay fever, is 79.5%.
- In Kanagawa Prefecture, a model prefecture for hay fever countermeasures, the rate of parents experiencing hay fever is the highest in the country at 90%.
PART 5: Commentary by Dr. Kimihiro Okubo
- If you develop hay fever, take early measures to alleviate the discomfort.