Comments on: Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona

By: Allergies in the desert | Allergy Climates and Seasons

Allergies in the desert | Allergy Climates and Seasons — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:47:58 +0000

[...] example, just this week, we have received new comments from Brad, Tracey, and Jeff about allergies in the desert climate of [...]

By: N. Smith

N. Smith — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:39:05 +0000

I have lived in Scottsdale for 4 years and in the past 2 years have developed ever-worsening allergies to the dust. Every time there are high winds here and the dust really blows around (during monsoon season), I have a severe nasal allergy attacks, nausea, and sometimes even vomiting. I never experienced these symptoms in California, where I lived previously.

By: rowena dehanke

rowena dehanke — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:03:14 +0000

An update. I moved back to Southern California (Pasadena area) after 2 1/2 years in Glendale. My breathing was immediately better, jumping up to 91 percent of lung function within three months. I have been able to reduce meds, but I am not back to the level I was before I moved to Arizona. I feel much better and have much more energy. Despite air pollution here, the sea breeze helps — and I’m not living on the ocean. The major problem seems to have been dust and the dry air. The wind whips everything up and there is no moisture to hold anything down there. Now and then the Santa Anas remind me of what I left. I don’t regret leaving one bit. I do kind of regret moving TO Arizona. People were nasty there too, acting as if I were crazy — “people move here because of their allergies” — well, maybe 40 years ago when there weren’t many people. If you’re thinking about moving to get away from the dust, do it as soon as you can.

By: AllergyNurse

AllergyNurse — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:32:06 +0000

To Linda's question about allergies in Texas: The topic of the thread is at the top of each page, this one being: "Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota, Arizona." To find more specific info about Texas, click on "Texas" in the sidebar under "Locations." You can get even more info by typing "texas" into the site search area (also in the sidebar.)

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 16 May 2008 03:23:11 +0000

Anyone know anything about spring allergy – mold pollens in Texas?

By: Marie

Marie — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:27:21 +0000

I have lived in several other states with varying climates and never got sick-just the occasional bug. I vacationed to AZ & NM every few years and loved it. Hiked and drove all over the states and never got sick. Mind you, I never spent much time in Phoenix when vacationing. I finally moved to AZ in Maricopa County 05 and within months became very ill. I never had allergies to anything except pollen once in a while. I figured I needed time to adjust so I’m still here. It’s now 08 and I’m still sick. I’m tired, I’m nauseous, very spacey – things just don’t click. I feel as if I’ve aged 20 years in 3. I look horrible and don’t see things changing. It’s almost as if there is some type of poison in the air. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but this has been my experience. I’ve always had a very sharp mind and was very quick and accurate and I feel like a flake out here. I have no explanation or reason for this and no proof but this is my experience. Other people seem to do fine out here but perhaps that is a false perception as well. In any event, I find myself with no energy to do the things I want, and when I get some energy and do go outside and do something fun, I pay for it dearly. My symptoms are almost like that of the flu but they die down in a 2 day period and then I just feel worn out or “not myself”. It’s extremely hard to define, but I feel “poisoned” or “drugged” for lack of a better term. I get the feeling that people think I’m a hypochondriac which kills me because I was never like that. What is funny is that everyone in AZ denies pollution, they all say “my allergies” are bothering me or “it’s just my allergies”. Everyone is “ON” something out here. They live at the drugstore. I do agree that a majority of the air problem in AZ is the excessive dust and chemicals hovering in the air due to lack of rain. But I think there is something more. What, I don’t know but there is something out here that is really effecting a lot of people. What is sad is that I used to go outside everyday and had the energy of a 12 year old, worked out with weights and was in optimum physical condition and now, I cannot be outside for more than 3 hours or I have to call out of work deathly ill. In all of my previous jobs, I may have called out sick 1-3 days per year. This job I am out a lot. It’s terrible. It generally takes me 72 hours to recover from outdoor activity. So, yes, I too want to get out of here and it’s a shame. I love so much about Arizona and I’ve dreamed of living here for years, but I’ve discovered it’s not a good place for me either- at least Maricopa County. Perhaps way up north is better but I cannot say. I can say that I think 3 years is enough time to adjust to any climate. The other consideration here is the traffic. It takes 1 hour to drive 26 miles on the freeway. Pretty sad. So, yes, I’m outta here too.

By: leavingasap

leavingasap — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:55:18 +0000

I moved to AZ (Phoenix area) two years ago and my daughter and I have never been so sick in our lives. I have lived in 7 states and certainly know where allergies are better or worse and there is no place worse then this! My family is moving back to the east coast in 3 months and can’t wait to get out of this toxic environment!

By: Robert Jones

Robert Jones — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 08:21:23 +0000

I live in Michigan and have had chronic year round allergies all my life. Recently was exposed to moldy house and developed HP and new asthma. Just the basic molds in the air here 50,000 count makes me sick.

I visited Az – Checked out the entire state. Zero allergies in the mountains 6000ft. I needed no steroids no antihistamines etc. First time in my life I could breath like most people. Found out no dust mites can live over 5,000 ft or so.

Lower areas like pheonix were not as good but still much better than michigan. Molds and mites and animals are my major problem areas. The counts in Az are like 10,000 times lower than michigan air. No post nasal drip and no snoring for me.

Guess where I am moving soon?

By: Patrice

Patrice — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 07:43:41 +0000

If you are having a lot of trouble with allergies ask your primary doctor to have your IgE level checked. There is a fairly new medicine called XOLAIR that has helped me breathe well enough that I feel I have my life back. You take it in a shot form 1x a month. I live in Grand Rapids Michigan. I was hoping to move to Scottsdale Arizona this summer with my daughter. I appreciate the information about the dust. Hadn’t thought of that.
Question: Do you think we might have trouble adjusting to a new area wherever it is because our bodies haven’t had the chance to build up an immune system to the new triggers in that area? If so and Xolair helps so much… could it help all of us to adjust? Something to find out about.

By: Brenda

Brenda — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 16:38:35 +0000

My husband and I moved to Surprise, Az in June 07 from Seattle. I had allergies there, but I have different allergies here and a bit worse. I am constantly sneezing, blowing my nose and taking OTC allergy pills. I’m sure it’s the dust and this state is dusty. Anybody know a good allergist in Surprise?