Is this you?
Men’s Care Clinic treats men only. The Shimbashi clinic is a one-minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station, and hay fever botulinum toxin treatment takes about ten minutes. People come to us with concerns like these.
- Oral hay fever medication makes you drowsy, so it is hard to keep taking it during the working day.
- Your symptoms are at their worst during the season when you have the most meetings and client work.
- A blocked nose is disturbing your sleep and your concentration.
- You want something that can be done between appointments rather than a long hospital visit.
- You are already using tablets or a nasal spray and want to discuss what else can be added.
What hay fever botulinum toxin treatment is
Botulinum toxin is applied into the nasal cavity in order to suppress the action of the neurotransmitters involved in the allergic response, with the aim of easing hay fever symptoms. Because it is applied rather than injected, the procedure is described as causing almost no pain.
It can in some cases be used alongside oral medication and nasal sprays. Please tell us at the consultation about every medicine you are currently taking.
A related report is Menger et al. (2018), “Botulinum Toxin A as an Adjunct Therapy in Refractory Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study.” How much difference it makes, and how long it lasts, varies from person to person.
Symptoms it is used for
- Blocked nose
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Red eyes
- Itchy throat
The type and severity of symptoms differ from person to person, and the treatment does not act on every symptom to the same degree. Whether it is suitable for you is decided by the doctor at the consultation.
Price, timing and what to expect
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hay fever botulinum toxin treatment per session, tax included, self-pay |
¥8,900 |
| Time in the clinic | about 10 minutes |
| How it is given | applied into the nasal cavity; no injection is used |
| When it starts to work | generally within a few days |
| How long it lasts | roughly 3 weeks to 1.5 months |
| How often it is repeated | once per pollen season |
| Pain | almost none |
Because the treatment involves only application into the nasal cavity, no hospital stay is required and you can return to work immediately afterwards. Everything at this clinic is self-pay, so no health insurance card is needed and no statement of medical expenses is sent to your home or your workplace.
When to come
You can be treated after your symptoms have already appeared, though some people prefer to discuss it before the pollen count rises in earnest. The doctor will ask how your symptoms usually develop each year and will advise on timing on that basis.
Ten minutes
Short enough to fit in before work, during a break, or on the way home.
Men-only clinic
The clinic treats men only, and is open until 21:00 on weekdays.
Discussed with your other medication
Tablets and nasal sprays can in some cases be continued alongside. Bring the details to the consultation.
Who cannot have this treatment
This treatment cannot be given to people in the following groups:
- Those with neuromuscular disease, including myasthenia gravis, Lambert–Eaton syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Those with hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin or to plasma-derived products
- Those with glaucoma
- Those taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication
- Those taking any medication that may affect neuromuscular transmission
Even if none of these apply to you, the doctor may still decide after the consultation that the treatment is not appropriate in your case.
Possible side effects
Very rarely, allergic symptoms, pain, swelling or redness at the treated site, headache and vomiting have been reported. If any symptom concerns you, please contact the clinic rather than deciding how to deal with it yourself.
Other botulinum toxin treatments at this clinic
Botulinum toxin is used for different purposes depending on where it is given. The following are handled on their own pages.
| Concern | Price |
|---|---|
| Forehead, frown and eye-corner lines anti-wrinkle |
from ¥25,000 |
| Underarm sweating and odour hyperhidrosis |
¥89,000 |
| Shoulder tension from desk work trapezius |
¥89,000 |
All prices include tax and are self-pay. Whether a treatment is suitable is decided by the doctor at the consultation.
Important information about this treatment
- Self-pay treatment: this treatment is not covered by public health insurance. The full cost is borne by the patient, and one session is ¥8,900.
- Unapproved pharmaceutical: the botulinum toxin product used at this clinic is not approved as a pharmaceutical in Japan. There is also no approved indication in Japan for the use of botulinum toxin for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
- Adverse drug reaction relief system: because the treatment uses an unapproved pharmaceutical, it is not covered by Japan’s Adverse Drug Reaction Relief System, even in the event of a serious side effect.
- Main risks and side effects: allergic symptoms, pain, swelling or redness at the treated site, headache and vomiting occur very rarely. Please also read “Who cannot have this treatment” above.
How the effect appears and how long it lasts vary from person to person. Whether the treatment can be carried out is decided by the doctor at the consultation. Please ask the doctor about anything that is unclear.
Booking, access and cancellation
Getting here
The clinic is a one-minute walk from the Ginza exit of JR Shimbashi Station, and a one-minute walk from Exit 1 of Shimbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. Shimbashi is also served by the Toei Asakusa Line and the Yurikamome. The address is Marucho Building 7F-B, 1-8-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004.
Opening hours are 14:00–21:00 on weekdays and 10:00–18:00 on weekends and public holidays. First-time patients are received until 30 minutes before closing, and returning patients until 10 minutes before. Appointments can be made through LINE or the website, and same-day slots are sometimes available. Telephone: 03-5962-8738.
Cancellation policy
Cancellations and changes made three days in advance are free. Two days to one day in advance are charged at 75%, and same-day cancellations at 100%. For course bookings, a cancellation counts as one session used.
Questions we are asked
How long does the effect last?
Roughly three weeks to one and a half months, though this varies from person to person.
Does it hurt?
Almost not at all. The product is applied into the nasal cavity and no injection is used.
How much is it, and is insurance accepted?
One session is ¥8,900, tax included. The clinic is entirely self-pay and does not accept health insurance, so no insurance card is needed.
Can I use it together with tablets?
In some cases yes. Please tell us at the consultation about every medicine you are currently using.
Will my family or my employer find out?
No. Because the treatment is self-pay and no health insurance is used, no notice of medical expenses is sent to your home or your workplace.
How do I pay?
Cash, and VISA, JCB, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards and debit cards.
Do I need an appointment, or can I come the same day?
You can book through LINE or the website. Same-day slots are sometimes available. First-time patients are received until 30 minutes before closing, and returning patients until 10 minutes before.
