Avoid Taking Rhinitis Medicine While Driving Home for Chuseok Even If Your Nose Itches

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Many people will be finishing their schedules in their hometowns and returning home on the last day of the Chuseok holiday. If you have not booked KTX or express bus tickets, you will have to drive for a long time on highways and other roads. In autumn, when the temperature difference between day and night is large, symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as itching in the nose and eyes may appear, but if you are about to drive home, it is better not to take rhinitis medication. There are other medications that may be used during the Chuseok period but require caution.

Be Careful with 'Rhinitis Medication' During Long Drives

In autumn, when the temperature difference between day and night is large, outdoor activities can expose you to house dust mites, pollen, and other allergens, causing allergic rhinitis symptoms such as paroxysmal sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and nasal congestion. In such cases, antihistamines (such as cetirizine) are often taken to relieve symptoms, but antihistamines can cause drowsiness or sedation after ingestion, making them unsuitable for long-distance driving.

Nasal spray-type products should be used with caution as excessive use can actually cause nasal congestion. Also, prolonged use can cause nasal irritation and mucosal swelling, so it is recommended not to use them for more than 7 days.

Burns from Making Jeon... Pregnant Women Should Avoid Certain Burn Ointments

During the Chuseok holiday, it is common to prepare a variety of foods such as jeon (Korean pancakes) and namul (seasoned vegetables) in large quantities, which can lead to burns from splashing water or oil. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should be cautious when using ointments containing heparin sodium, cephalosporin soft extract, allantoin (complex), betamethasone, gentamicin (complex), hydrocortisone acetate, or diphenhydramine hydrochloride (complex). It is advisable to consult a doctor or pharmacist before use or carefully check the instructions.

Burn treatment varies depending on the severity. For mild burns where the skin is red, swollen, and edematous, ointments with soothing and anti-inflammatory effects can be purchased at pharmacies and used. For burns with blisters and oozing, there is a risk of infection, so do not burst the blisters and seek medical attention. When using ointments for burns with skin infections, use sterile gloves, and from the second day onward, remove or wash off the ointment applied the previous day before applying a new layer.

If You Get Sick from Overeating Holiday Food

Digestive aids taken for indigestion caused by overeating include 'digestive enzymes' (such as pancreatin, diastase) that help break down food for easier digestion, and 'gas relief agents' (such as simethicone) that improve abdominal bloating. If you experience rash, severe itching, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal disorders, convulsions, or diarrhea after taking digestive aids, you should immediately consult a doctor or pharmacist.

If diarrhea or loose stools occur, antidiarrheal medications can be taken. These include 'intestinal motility inhibitors' (loperamide) that reduce intestinal peristalsis to stop diarrhea, 'astringents and adsorbents' (bismuth, dioctahedral smectite) that quickly expel toxic substances or bacteria from the intestines, and 'probiotics' (lactic acid bacteria). Each product has different age restrictions and dosing intervals, so take them according to the prescribed usage and dosage.

If diarrhea is accompanied by bloody stools or severe abdominal pain, it may be infectious diarrhea, so you should see a doctor before taking medication. Also, caffeine-containing drinks, alcohol, raw or undercooked food, and highly irritating foods can worsen diarrhea, so it is best to avoid them. To prevent food poisoning, it is important to follow preventive measures such as washing hands, eating cooked food, and boiling food thoroughly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.