Autumn Rhinitis Surges Nearly Twofold Compared with Summer... What Is the Hidden Culprit Behind Rhinitis? [Health Talk]

[Financial News] The incidence of rhinitis in autumn soars to nearly twice that in summer. With otitis media, sinusitis, and asthma also on the rise, overall upper respiratory health is facing an emergency.
According to statistics from HIRA, the number of patients treated for allergic rhinitis (J30) rose sharply from approximately 680,000 in August 2025 to approximately 1.15 million in both September and October.

Allergic rhinitis cannot be explained solely by immune responses to specific allergens such as pollen or house dust mites. This is because the nasal mucosa is rich in blood vessels and autonomic nerves, making it highly sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. A study analyzing the autonomic nervous system function of patients with allergic rhinitis by Professor Kim Min-hee's research team in the Department of Korean Medicine, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Dermatology at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong also found differences in autonomic nervous system responses depending on the severity and duration of the disease. Korea experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, and the sharp temperature changes during the transitional seasons of spring and autumn place considerable stress on the nasal mucosa.
Rhinitis that begins in childhood may improve as children grow, but in many cases it persists into adolescence and adulthood. In particular, sleep deprivation caused by nasal congestion significantly impairs physical development and concentration in school-age children. If these symptoms persist into adulthood, they can cause chronic fatigue, while long-term deterioration in sleep and quality of life may also lead to cognitive decline in old age.
Another reason rhinitis should be actively managed is the risk of complications. Conditions that can occur alongside rhinitis are diverse, ranging from allergic conjunctivitis that causes itchy eyes; sinusitis accompanied by more severe nasal congestion and postnasal drip; Eustachian tube dysfunction and otitis media, which can cause a feeling of fullness in the ears; to asthma.

For chronic rhinitis that is difficult to treat, Korean medicine may be an alternative because it carries a relatively low risk of side effects even with long-term treatment. Professor Kim Min-hee's team at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong scientifically demonstrated through clinical research that Korean medicine treatment, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion, produces significant improvements in allergic rhinitis.
After administering herbal medicines—Hyunggaeyungyo-tang and So Cheongryong-tang—with strong anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects, the research team observed marked improvement in major symptoms such as runny nose and nasal congestion within two weeks of treatment. In particular, the improved condition remained stable even eight weeks after the four-week course ended, confirming the treatment's strong efficacy. The study also found that personalized treatment tailored to each patient's distinct autonomic nervous system characteristics is essential.

In Korean medicine, allergic rhinitis is not viewed merely as a symptom confined to the nose. Practitioners comprehensively consider the timing and pattern of symptom recurrence, as well as the patient's physical condition and constitution—such as deficiency and excess or cold and heat—and regulate immunity and the autonomic nervous system from a holistic perspective using herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. In addition, the principles of yangsaeng (養生), which emphasize relaxation in spring, moderation in summer, and consolidation in autumn and winter, are applied to strengthen the body's ability to adapt to the seasons. Integrating treatment and prevention is the core of the Korean medicine approach.
These treatments have been systematized according to reliable standard criteria through the 'Standard Clinical Practice Guidelines for Allergic Rhinitis in Korean Medicine,' established in 2021. In addition, because the government provides health insurance coverage for herbal medicines, the financial burden on patients requiring long-term treatment has been eased.
Simply raising the indoor temperature is not necessarily the answer for people with rhinitis. Because a large difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures can also stimulate the autonomic nervous system, it is advisable to maintain a temperature of 20–22°C and humidity of 50–60%.
"It is impossible to completely block stimuli caused by climate change, so it is necessary to strengthen the body's immunity and ability to adapt," Professor Kim advised. "Maintaining adequate hydration and building basic physical strength through regular exercise, along with receiving treatment suited to one's constitution, can greatly help maintain respiratory immunity."
[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, Medical Specialist Reporter