[Self-care for pollinosis of cedar and cypress--from a questionnaire survey]

For patients with pollinosis, self-care is important as well as medical care. In this study, we investigated the real situation of patients with pollinosis-how they manage their symptoms. A questionnaire-based examination was conducted among 488 patients who visited National Osaka-Minami hospital and Sano ENT clinic. The onset of pollen dispersion occurred 17th Feb. 34.6% of patients visited before the onset of pollen dispersion. 45.5% of them had a checkup for allergens. 84.8% of them utilized pollen information. 41.4% of them did self-care. The rate of patients who utilized pollen information and did self-care was higher in female compared with male. The rate of those who did self-care was significantly higher in the patients who visited before pollen dispersion, who had a checkup for allergens, who utilized pollen information, compared with the patients did not. It is necessary to show the information of self-care as well as pollen, and suggest the importance of self-care against pollen allergens.