Best climate for allergies
From one of our readers
My family and I suffer from both outdoor and indoor allergies. I wanted to know if moving to a moisturized climate would be better for us? — Lola, California
A different reader writes
Eighteen months ago I moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Naples, Florida and am in the midst of a bronchial infection caused from sinus drainage. This condition has been ongoing for six weeks now.
I wonder now if it was such a wise idea to move from a high desert climate to reclaimed land that was once a large swamp? The torrential rainfall we have here in southwest Florida probably doesn’t help — Lewis, Florida
Most people find that allergy symptoms lessen in dryer climates or seasons, and worsen with increased humidity. Increased humidity promotes mold spore growth and provides an ideal environment for dust mites. It is also harder to breathe as the barometer goes up. Those of us in more humid areas are often helped by a using dehumidifier continually during high moisture seasons. You can read about my own experience with a dehumidifier here.
However, a humidifier is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to soothe the airways and help loosen secretions of chronic infection or other special needs. Unless specifically ordered by your physician, humidifiers should not be run continually because they can promote growth of mold and dust mites. Talk with your physician about what is best for you.
It is always good to spend time in an area you are considering moving to. Visit during different seasons. Even so, there is no sure way to determine how your body will react to the new climate once you move there.
One of our patients who moved to a drier climate a few years ago found that she did not need to continue her shots there at first. But eventually symptoms worsened to the point that she started allergy injections again.
Others have told me that changing climates relieved their symptoms and eliminated their need for injections.
One of our sponsors, National Allergy Supply, has an excellent selection of dehumidifiers as well as a germ-killing humidifier. They also have an excellent reputation as a professional company with down-home values, and I am proud to be able to recommend their products to you.
[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on October 20, 2003]
Are areas closer to the beach,better places for people with allergies?Do humid places make allergies worse?Do Places like bay area have allergies at a lower level compared to southern states?Please suggest
Comment by Amy — February 5, 2006 @ 9:04 pm
Everyone is different. As I wrote above, “Most people find that allergy symptoms lessen in dryer climates or seasons, and worsen with increased humidity.” But some prefer more humid climates.
As to specific areas, the people who live in the various areas are more expert than I of how that particular climate affects their allergies. Look through the posts and comments listed under the various areas in the sidebar categories (click on a state or area to see them). Can someone offer any specific suggestions to Amy?
Comment by AllergyNurse — February 5, 2006 @ 9:58 pm
Living at the beach for me definitely helps. The south is the worst place for allergies I’ve ever lived, and having grown up there. I live in Northern California now in a dry climate. In general, my asthma is better, but my allergies are still serious. I recently went to Costa Rica for 2 weeks, and guess what- no allergies whatsoever. I’m home now and sick . I surf, and whenever I am on surf trips I experience no allergies whatsoever. The ocean air definitely helps.
Comment by J. Osteen — April 8, 2007 @ 10:55 am
I move to the Bay Area from New Jersey, and I have developed severe asthma which seems to be outdoor air-dependent. There seems to be no downtime in allergies in the Bay Area: something is always blooming/pollinating. Again, people are different. But after talking to several allergists I am coming to a conlusion that a climate with no winter is no good for allergics/asthmatics. Every time I travel out of CA (or go to the high sierra) I feel much better. I am moving out as soon as I can. I need a climate with a long, dry winter.
Comment by runcyclexcski — April 27, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
I live in Loisville, KY and I am sick of tne allergies.I have constant headaches,sinus pressure and swollen face all the time.
I want to find a State in the U.S with the least allergies known.
Can you help me to find a good place to enjoy life?
Comment by Claudia Jarvis — July 7, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Does anyone know hard Bend Oregon is on allergy sufferers?
Comment by Jim Kellerman — July 26, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
I’m on assignment in Bogota, Colombia and have been almost allergy free for the past 3.5 years.
I had a sinus cyst that does not show up in my CT scan anymore. Mu nasal voice is gone…even with my severely deviated septum.
It rains here, so humidity is not a factor. High altitude (2,600 meters) and cool weather (eternal spring) seem to keep offending pollen down. I think the fact that I’m not in and out of air conditioning has also helped.
I love it here, and I’m an ocean person!!
Comment by George — December 1, 2007 @ 7:11 am
i live in chicago all my live also had asthma since i was 2years old and i moved to Puerto Rico for 1 year, that was the best time in my whole asthma live i only used my asthma meds 2 times and that was when i had my son there. and i loss so much weight there because i didn’t need any meds and i worked out without having a asthma attack but now i’m back in chicago and i was fine the 1st few weeks and now i’m back to my old ways always sick and useing all my meds again so does topical weather help with asthma?
Comment by jenny — January 25, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Well, I live in Madison, WI and I have been suffering from chronic sinus for more that 10 year and now I have asthma too. This sucks. I am 53 and am sick all the time, so it seems with sinus infections that do not go away with any treatment. I miss too much work. I was thinking of a different climate too, but not sure where. I love the beaches and am not a country person. I do not want to leave the United States. That is not an option.
I know it is different for each person. As you get older, and still need to work, you just cannot pick up and move as you can when you are younger.
Frustrated in Wisconsin!
Comment by Kat — August 11, 2008 @ 11:17 am
I feel there is no perfect place to live.
I find that it is helpful to take a drive away from your area on the weekends as it gives yur body a rest from the allergies that build up in your environment and area.
As far as the beach goes forget about it!
We moved to the beach because we thought it was the best for our asthma—
as it turns out we had 6 months of red tide which is the worst for asthma — it is actually dangerous for people with asthma and senior citizens,,, and the worst part is that it can come and go in a day or a week but you wont hear about it until it is for a month then it is in the news.
Comment by Kathy — September 29, 2008 @ 6:02 am
Yep, location does definetly matter. I lived in Maryland before for decades and then moved up north (western new york) for few year. My allergy issues totally disappeared. I even forgot I have allergy issues that I decided to move back after spending few years there. Once I moved back to MD, the allergy issues resureface in full force. MD is humid & hot in the summer. Somewhat cold in the winter but not quite wintery, so this mild winter condition keeps all the ofenders alive. Thus as mentioned above, areas with strong and long winter tend to clear up lots of the allergens and are suitable areas at least some of allergy sufferers.
Comment by BH — November 3, 2008 @ 10:05 pm
We moved from NJ to Maine to breath the fresh air, live a simple life and be healthier. We are in Maine now, on the oceans edge with beauty all around us. WE moved in 4/2001 and now for two years I have been very ill. Turns out mold, dust mites are a big problem and I have developed asthma. It is peaceful, quiet, promising, untouched, good neighbors, calm atmosphere, yet I cannot enjoy it. So now what do I do. I lost sense of smell from all the sinus infections and am on a steriod to rid the brochial conditions.
Comment by SMS — February 6, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Has anybody considered that maybe the air quality is even more important than humidity? I live in South Central PA and our air quality is terrible. I suffer from allergy problems as well as sinus problems. Throw severe arthritis in the mix and I have a real problem.
Comment by Don — June 2, 2009 @ 8:58 pm
I live in Wisconsin and my allergies are driving me crazy!! On a scale from one to ten it is a 9 at times. My eyes itch like mad, along with the inside of my nostrils are itching and at night my nose is running whereby I go thru an entire box of kleenex and keep q-tips next to the bed to itch the inside of my ears!! I NEVER HAD allergy problems and i am in my 50’s and live in on acreage in the country and take daily hikes. All the grass, trees, mold, etc MUST be getting to me plus the humidity worsens the symptoms. God forbid I keep the a/c off or i’d be miserable…so the bills stay high to keep the air cond on all summer long. I used to live at 8,000 feet in the mountains and never had allergies. Possibly its because at higher elevation curtails “things like mold and spores” to flourish. I did spend 4 months at the beach on the West Coast and was very surprised and disappointed that I DID HAVE allergy symptoms, there, too. So…maybe I need to move to a city with little or null vegetation or back to the mountains?
Comment by BB — June 24, 2009 @ 10:52 pm