I never had allergies before moving to Korea, but now I suffer every spring?

Spring allergies in Korea are extremely common and many newcomers develop them within a year of arrival. The main culprits are pine pollen (송화가루, peak late April to early May), oak pollen (참나무 꽃가루, May), Japanese cedar pollen (삼나무 꽃가루, March to April, mainly in southern Korea and Jeju), grass pollen (June), and yellow dust storms (황사) from Mongolia (March to May). The combination of pollen, yellow dust, and high pm2.5 particulate matter creates a notorious 'spring sickness' (춘곤증) that affects locals and foreigners alike.

Treatment options: Over-the-counter at any pharmacy, you can grab antihistamines like Zyrtec/Cetirizine (지르텍, 5,000 won/box of 10), Claritin/Loratadine (클라리틴), Allegra/Fexofenadine (알레그라), or older sedating Chlor-Trimeton (클로르페니라민). Nasal sprays like Nasonex or Avamys are over-the-counter at 15,000 to 25,000 won. Eye drops for itching like Patanol or Zaditor (자디텐) are around 10,000 won. For more severe symptoms, see an internal medicine clinic (내과) for prescription antihistamines, nasal steroids, and immunotherapy options. Visit costs 5,000 to 15,000 won with NHIS.

For allergy testing, dermatology clinics (피부과) and allergy clinics (알레르기 내과) offer skin prick tests (피부반응검사) for 30,000 to 60,000 won and blood tests (specific IgE panel) for 100,000 to 200,000 won. Major hospitals like Severance, Asan, and Samsung Medical Center have specialized allergy departments with English-speaking allergists. Allergy immunotherapy (sublingual or injection) is available for severe cases and typically takes 3 to 5 years for desensitization.

Protection strategies: Download the AirVisual or Air Korea app for daily pm2.5 and pollen alerts. Wear KF94 masks during high pollen days (still common after COVID, sold at every convenience store and pharmacy at 1,000 to 2,000 won). Keep windows closed during peak pollen hours (10am to 6pm) and run AC instead. Use a HEPA air purifier (LG, Samsung, Cuckoo brands at Coupang, 200,000 to 700,000 won) at home, especially in bedrooms. Saline nasal rinses (Sinus Rinse, 10,000 won) flush out allergens. Shower and change clothes after coming home from outside. Eat vitamin C-rich Korean foods like persimmon, kiwi, and oranges to support immunity.

When to be careful: Yellow dust days are graded 보통 (normal), 나쁨 (bad), 매우 나쁨 (very bad). Outdoor exercise should be avoided on 매우 나쁨 days. Schools sometimes cancel outdoor activities on bad days. Children, elderly, and those with asthma should be especially careful. Pollen counts are highest on warm dry windy days, lower after rain. The spring rainy days (5월 이슬비) actually help by washing pollen out of the air. With proper management most expats adapt within 2 to 3 years and symptoms become milder.