Allergies in NY and Florida, how about New Mexico?
I grew up in Long Island, NY & always had allergies. Presently living in Tampa, FL (23 years) & developed asthma 7 years ago. My allergist said this is the worst state in the country to live, as something is always blooming. I am wondering if anyone out there tried New Mexico. I figure the dry air would be helpful. Appreciate any feedback. — Sandra, Florida
FYI from an asthmatic desert rat.
We moved to Arizona 10yrs ago and I ass-sumed that I had left my asthma behind in the dampness of up- stat NY. WRONG.
People forget that with the lower density of any given species in the dessert, more pollen must be produced per plant. To ensure their survival, they must produce even more pollen so can reach another plant. The sobol is a yucca type plant that has a 5 ft stalk topped with what is best described as a giant bottle brush (3ft in length and 7″ in diameter) covered for 3 ft with pollen laden stamen. Also, the plants have a stronger reaction to rain; many are dormant until their is rain. A little rain will make some bloom, and a lot of rain can make plant species grow and bloom that have been absent in abundance from the landscape a year or years. It is an awe inspiring sight to see the desert in bloom March-April. I have lived in up state NY, AZ and NM; each state had it’s effect on my asthma. NY had mold, AZ had Sobol (yucca type plant) and NM has Juniper and high winds (20-30 mph) from March into June; kicking up everything in and along with the dust. During these high winds, any one with respiratory problems knows it. Also the Southwest has monsoons and wild fires (June-Aug). Because of the terrain and wind currents, the smoke from fires 20-30 miles away can come down like a blanket. Oh yes, we also have swamp or evaprative coolers in our houses which cool by soaking pads with water and forcing air over them and into the cooling ducts. This too can be a source of mold.
I don’t mean to burst your bubble but those who have not lived here are unaware of these things.
Comment by weber — June 7, 2007 @ 11:51 pm