Editor's notes:

[Health Byte] is your insider guide to navigating Shanghai's health maze. From the labyrinth of public and private healthcare options to the pulse of cutting-edge medical services, we've got you covered. Each bite-sized article ends with a health tip, making wellness in the city more accessible than ever. Wondering about hospital features, where to find bilingual medics, or the scoop on insurance coverage? "Health Byte" breaks it down, offering clear, actionable insights.

What are allergies?

Allergies are what happens when your body picks a fight with something that isn't actually a threat. These things – pollen, dust, peanuts, shellfish, cat hair, whatever – are called allergens. They can be inhaled, ingested, or touched, and if your immune system has decided it doesn't like them, it's going to let you know about it.

Normally, the immune system is in charge of keeping out actual dangers –bacteria, viruses, that kind of thing. It does this by deploying antibodies and chemicals to neutralize threats. But sometimes, it misfires, and a perfectly harmless substance gets flagged as public enemy number one. That's when histamine kicks in, leading to sneezing, swelling, itching, or worse.

If allergies run in your family, you might end up with them too. But it's not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that if you're allergic to something, your body will respond the same way every time it encounters it – no surprises, just the same overreaction on repeat.

Allergy awareness

Allergens are everywhere, but here's some good news: you don't just wake up one day with a brand-new allergy. They're mostly genetic – either you're wired for them, or you're not.

Spring is peak allergy season, thanks to the one-two punch of pollen, catkins (those fluffy, pollen-heavy tree flowers), and increased UV exposure. This is when skin allergies, allergic rhinitis (constant sneezing, runny nose, and congestion), and asthma tend to flare up.

Skin allergies in particular are common this time of year. Symptoms include redness, dryness, itchiness, and inflammation (swelling and irritation).

"For expatriates, skin allergies can hit harder," says Dr Zhou Mi from Shanghai Yueyang Hospital's dermatology department. "Lighter skin is more sensitive, and foreigners tend to spend more time outdoors in direct sunlight." If it gets bad, don't wait – see a doctor.

Tips for allergy prevention

If you're allergic to pollen, limit your time outside in spring. If you have to go out, wear a mask. Sun protection is also key, especially if you have skin allergies – think sunscreen and long sleeves.

Diet plays a role too. Some foods, like celery, can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. On the flip side, beta-carotene-rich foods like yams and carrots can help.

Skincare matters. Overwashing your face can make things worse. Twice a day with a gentle cleanser is enough.

"One important thing – don't self-medicate," warns Dr Zhou Mi from Shanghai Yueyang Hospital. "People buy random ointments and put them on their faces without professional advice. That can backfire, making symptoms worse or triggering side effects."

Managing allergies takes a mix of prevention and treatment. Zhou recommends a solid routine: healthy food, enough sleep, regular exercise and the right skincare – moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and ceramide work well. Medical treatments range from anti-allergy meds and ointments to a mix of Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Her clinic includes negative-ion spray, laser therapy, low-energy radio frequency, and TCM-based treatments like herbal masks, herbal soups, and futie (herbal patches applied to acupuncture points).

The hospital has even developed a herbal tea to help with allergies and boost immunity. Here's the prescription:

• 乌梅 (Smoked plum) – 9g
  
• 五味子 (Schisandra chinensis) – 6g
  
• 防风 (Radices sileris, a root used to dispel wind-related illnesses in TCM) – 6g
  
• 黄芪 (Radix astragali, known for immune-boosting properties) – 9g
  
• 白术 (Atractylodes, a herb used to strengthen digestion and immunity) – 9g
  

If you go...

Shanghai Yueyang Hospital's dermatology department runs clinics Monday through Saturday, both morning and afternoon, plus Sunday mornings. You'll find it at Building 16, 110 Ganhe Rd, Hongkou District (虹口区甘河路110号).

If you're unsure where to go, hospital volunteers are stationed at reception desks and registration machines to help. Expatriate patients can ask for guidance.

According to the Shanghai Hospital Development Center, which oversees the city's top public hospitals, most leading hospitals now have dedicated patient-experience departments. Their job? Improving service and making the medical process smoother.

At Yueyang, bilingual staff and volunteers are available to assist foreign patients. If you're visiting, just ask for help – it's there.

Health Byte Tips

Dr. Zhang Jianzhong from Peking University People's Hospital is pushing for better awareness of atopic dermatitis (a chronic inflammatory skin condition often confused with eczema).

"For a long time, atopic dermatitis hasn't been properly recognized in China. Misdiagnosis is common, and both the public and even some doctors lack awareness," he said at a conference for Surpassing Pills, a new book featuring insights from 35 top medical professionals and industry experts on China's medical advancements.

To improve diagnosis and treatment, Zhang and his team developed China's first clinical guideline on atopic dermatitis.

"If a patient has had symmetrical eczema (itchy, inflamed skin appearing on both sides of the body) for over six months, has a personal or family history of allergic conditions, and shows certain biological markers in tests, these can indicate atopic dermatitis," he explained. "This helps guide follow-up treatment."

Zhang also emphasized the need for better public education to raise awareness and improve early diagnosis.

Medical breakthrough in Shanghai

Medical experts at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital are teaming up with specialists from China and abroad to push forward stem cell and genetic therapy research for osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and is a major reason for disability and early retirement.

Dr Zhang Changqing, from Shanghai Sixth, has been working with researchers in Australia and Fujian Province on a multi-center study focused on cutting-edge treatments, as well as understanding how the disease develops, how to prevent it, and how to improve diagnosis and management.

Their findings were recently published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers, a top-tier medical journal, setting the stage for further research in the field.

Osteoarthritis (OA) research is evolving fast, and Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital is actively involved in some of the most cutting-edge treatments, including stem cell and gene therapy.

Stem cell therapy, particularly using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) – a type of stem cell found in bone marrow, fat tissue, and umbilical cord blood – is showing promise. These cells can help regenerate cartilage (the flexible tissue that cushions joints), reduce inflammation (the body's immune response that can cause swelling and pain), and relieve joint pain by secreting growth factors (proteins that stimulate cell growth) and cytokines (molecules that regulate immune and inflammatory responses).

Gene therapy is another frontier. Using technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 (a gene-editing tool that can precisely modify DNA), researchers are working to repair or replace damaged genes linked to OA. This approach not only targets the root genetic causes of the disease but also enables the delivery of specific therapeutic genes to affected joints.

"We're conducting in-depth research on OA treatments in collaboration with David Hunter from the University of Sydney, focusing on emerging therapies," said Dr Zhang Changqing from Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital.

If you go

The out-patient time for Dr Zhang Changqing is Monday morning at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital on 600 Yishan Rd, Xuhui District

徐汇区宜山路600号

Upcoming Topics

Herbal tea is good for health and many people, both Chinese and Westners, like it. We will talk about functions of different herbal tea and recipes for teas catering for different seasons. Stay tuned!

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with Shanghai Daily. With extensive experience covering the local medical system, hospitals, health officials and leading medical experts, Cai has reported on major pandemics including SARS, swine flu and COVID-19, as well as developments in the local health industry.