I am looking for a location for severe dry sinuses. I have asthma and sinus, total respiratory problems, I can handle any allergy better that dry sinuses. I usaully get this to my detriment in the winter in NYC Not sure if its the dry air and the furnace heat (humidifiers don’t help)…any location Ideas…coastal…northeast?? hot or cold???
thank you — Steve, New York

I have a three year old son who has recently showed signs of becoming sensitized, to possibly everything. He has been diagnosed with ATOPIC ECZEMA. I have been researching all over, I understand there is some questions between dermatologists and allergists on what the cause for such a severe condition could be. Me his mother, being the genetic donor of such a horrible affliction, knows the condition first hand.

I strongly believe this condition has several parts to it. One being an immune issue, the second being allergies, and the third part extremely dry and sensitive skin. So with a sliver of knowledge, I am taking aim to improve his condition without the use of the enormous amount of drugs dermatologists have prescribed him at 3 years old. We are working closely with a wonderful allergist who has the patience and knowledge to deal with my family. My question is we now live in Albuquerque, NM. He has been through two RAST tests (blood tests to check for IgE levels), and a patch test which had no results for us to read. He, according to the RAST test has low and moderate levels to most allergic foods (wheat, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and peanuts), he also shows a low moderate to dogs and elm.

At this point I have not noticed hay fever symptoms for our dogs we have, but with this new information from the blood tests, the dogs and his reactions to them are under my careful observation. He is on a very restricted diet and his skin is clearing with out the prescribed drugs. We will begin introducing one food at a time very soon to see the effects.

So sorry about the long preface to my question. We live in Abq., and have an opportunity to move to Fort Smith Arkansas. With the knowledge he has the possibility for his allergies to get worse (sensitized), which climate would be more likely to exascerbate his condition, the dry and very pollen filled Abq., or Arkansas a humid climate I know very little about? — Kendra, Albuquerque, NM

Hello, I am very glad I found this site. I am just glad to know there are other’s out there as miserable as I am year round. I have non-stop swelling in my nose and it gives me constant pressure year round, oh and headaches to. I am a healthy mother of 2 and a happily married women other wise but find 300 days out of 365 miserable. So, if you suffer from mold, dust mites and grass dont move to Dallas. This is one of the worst area’s to live. I am starting allergy shots in 1 week. Will keep you advised on if they work. We have also thought about moving if they don’t work. Sad way to live huh? But if you suffer from constant pressure and headaches year round you will do anything for relief. Good luck to all!! TLP - Dallas

Each year the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America names the Top Ten Asthma Capitals for the year. This year, Atlanta Georgia, took the top spot, with Philadelphia, PA, and Raliegh, NC, second and third.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation says:

Don’t Move - Improve: Experts agree that people can’t move away from their asthma since every city in America has a variety of risk factors.

Click Asthma Capitals 2007 to see the whether your state ranked among the Top 10 Capitals (mind did!), as well as information about this annual research project, and links to more detailed information.

You can find information and links to last year’s studies as well as previous years on our February 18, 2006 post, Climate and asthma — Worst places to live.

My husband and I lived in Kihei on Maui for a year. I got what I thought was bronchitis every few months. Apparently, it was allergies. My husband was fine most of the year but mid May to mid August he was severly ill from his allergies and asthma.

It was so bad we had to move. We would love to go back to Hawaii but do not know which areas of Hawaii are better for people with severe allergies/asthma. I have heard that Kauai and Hilo side of the Big Island are bad. Any insights into specific good or bad areas of each island would be very appreciated. — Donna, formerly in Hawaii