I have a question about Albuquerque, NM. Is it mountain cedar or juniper that is a problem. I know junipers are in the same classification as cedar. Just wondering if there is actual mountain cedar? I have not been able to get anyone to clarify this for me.
I am pretty allergic to trees and would like to stay away from mountain cedar. I am thinking of moving to New Mexico. — TG, location unknown
You may find some answers in my 12/31/06 post here:
Cedar is on its way!
There is a link on that post that points to a Wikipedia article which explains more, and shows a photo of the Ashe Juniper which is sometimes called Mountain Cedar.
Juniper pollen is a terrible allergen. When it is juniper pollinates, they are laden and explode with a cloud of pollen as any angiosperm does. In my neck of the woods Southwestern NM at 6ooft, the juniper season is the talk of the town: stuffy, itchy eyes,nose and sinuses; asthma attacks, and coughs.
We don’t have cedar at this elevation so I cannot comment.
I am in Taos, NM for the next few weeks. I was also her in March to April.
My allergies have been terrible. I am from S. Florida and am allergic to dust mites, molds, and the maleuluca tree (a gum tree).
My allergy symptoms are worse in Taos than back home. For the time periods above, is it the juniper pollen? Of course, it is drier and dustier here too. We open the windows (no A/C). Will an air purifier plus closing windows help?
Love this place, but the allergies….
Many Thanks,
Tess
Does anyone know how long the pollen lives after it is released from the plant?
I live about 90 miles northwest of Houston, in College Station. In late November, or early December, when the wind shifts and comes in from the northwest, it carries the pollen of the Ash Juniper (also called Mountain Cedar). I woke up at about 2 AM on Sunday, 30 November, to find that my sinuses had begun to swell and my throat was scratchy. I knew the wind had shifted. It worsened over the following few days. I went to the local allergist on Tuesday, 2 December, and he tested me and confirmed what I already knew, that I was allergic to Mountain Cedar. I mentioned that it was really a juniper and not a true cedar, which are of the genus “Cedrus,” as no true cedars are native to North America. He disagreed with me and even referenced Red Cedar (which is an arbor vitae and not a cedar) of the west coast as another kind of “cedar.” I guess I was surprised that someone who should know the difference was so adamant in his error, and unreceptive to learning a bit of minutiae about the plant that effects so many of his patients.
Pete, It’s good that you are astute enough to realize the differences, but don’t be too harsh on the doctor who tested you. The vials of concentrated extract supplied from the manufacturer (from which diluted patient treatment vials are mixed) are usually labeled Mountain Cedar or Red Cedar, which is the common name, with the corresponding juniper being listed as the ingredient. In our office we referred to this as cedar allergy which is the common name. Patients get the correct treatment regardless of which name is used.
There are specific junipers other than the common cedars available also from the manufacturers, but we did not use them in the allergy offices where I worked. The common cedar was more prevalent in our area.
There is much to keep up with in the medical field. It’s easy to forget some of the insignificant stuff that does not have much, if any, affect on patient care. I have 13 years of experience in allergy, but I was not consciously aware of the difference of cedar and juniper until I researched it for this site in 2006. (See: http://climates.allergynursing.com/2006/10/31/cedar-is-coming/) No doubt some of the seminars I attended mentioned it in passing, but it is no a major issue as far as treatment.
Hope this helps,
Lois
How long do is the juniper season in Santa Fe? I have allergies this time of year every year. Thanks, Lisa
The juniper season in Santa Fe is usually end of February through end of March (sometimes into beginning of April). I’m still looking for a cure =)
I am allergic to Juniper/Cedar and undergoing shot therapy. I seem to be worse in my own neighborhood than I am other places. We have landscape Junipers in our yard. My allergist didn’t think this should cause me problems but that doesn’t really make sense to me. Also, we have a cedar closet in the home. Are these things I should consider getting rid of?
I have severe allergies to mountain cedar. They top the scale in severity. They are so bad, that I am considering moving to either arizona or new mexico. I know they have some trees there that are related to the mountain cedar. Is this a smart move for me or will I just be trading locations and still suffer from my severe allergies? I really do need to know before committing myself to the move. Can anyone please tell me?
I would not recommend moving to New Mexico. Cedar and Juniper are pretty bad here. Supposedly the pollen count is low right now, but I am having annoying problems even now (especially when I’ve been outside for an extended period of time). Here is the pollen “calendar” for the Albuquerque area. Much of New Mexico will probably be similar.
http://www.cabq.gov/airquality/pollen.html
I’ve lived in Santa Fe for 6 years and each year is more miserable in terms of allergies. I need to move from here so that I can breathe again.
Just came back from a week-long vacation in Santa Fe with a friend and didn’t know I had any allergies before going. I do now and it is/was an absolutely MISERABLE experience. Enjoyed the visit but would NEVER consider moving, especially now knowing the extremes involved. Biggest problem for me was respiratory (very tight chest). Zyrtec helped but it’s going to take a while for my system to get back to normal. Word to the wise: springtime there is EXTREMELY windy and carries the pollen even further; very hard to escape it unless you barricade yourself indoors.