In 1996 and 1997, we posted info about the ten worst US cities for asthma sufferers as released by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Often people ask “Where are the best places?” Sperling’s Best Places, in conjunction with Schering-Plough Corporation, has released it’s study of the ten best and worst places to live with allergies. Thanks to Lewis who provided the link and shared more comments about this here at Allergy Climates.
Topping the list of best places, according to the Sperling study, is Grand Rapids, MI. Louisville, KY, ranks worst. The AAFA study, which ranks Asthma (as opposed to the Sperling study which ranks Allergies) lists Atlanta, GA, as the worst US city to live in.
Sterling also seems to support what we’ve often pointed out here at Allergy Climates, that there is no safe-haven for allergy sufferers. Schering-Plough writes:
“A key finding of this study is that there is no geographic center for allergies…no part of the country is immune to their effects.”
The Sterling study is based on mean pollen and mold spore levels for the years 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999, while the AAFA does the studies annually. The AAFA study also takes into consideration air pollution. Air pollution and smog, especially ozone, are now believed to play an important role as triggers for asthma and allergy.
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.
Much of the U.S. is either well past the first frost of the season, or about enter this doorway that heralds relief from Ragweed symptoms. But as you cross the threshold, beware. Cedar is on it’s way!
Two of the most common Cedars that cause allergies in the U.S., Mountain Cedar and Eastern Redcedar (also called Eastern Red Cedar), are actually Junipers. Cedar/Juniper is the most common winter pollen allergen in the U.S.
Cedar usually pollinates from November through March in the U.S. But in some areas or seasons it can start pollinating as early as October, and it can continue as late as May.
Cedar is quite a loner. Sometimes a person is allergic to multiple trees as well as Cedar. But we often find that a patient will be allergic to most of the trees we test for — except Cedar. Other times we will see a Cedar allergy without allergy to any other tree. Of course, this can happen with other trees too. But it happens most frequently with Cedar.
So if you are one of those who sniffle and sneeze during Cedar season, get ready. Stock up on your allergy medicine and close the all the windows and doors. Because Cedar is coming!
See also from Wikipedia:
Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar).
Juniperus ashei (Mountain Cedar).
For someone who is allergic to trees, grasses, mold & ragweed, is there a prefered place to live to minimize symptoms?
Southeastern Pennsylvania has become a nightmare for me. — Jonathan
While the intense heat “may spare Central Texas residents from the brutal ragweed season” (see our August 26 post), KFOXTV in El Paso reports a “recent allergy upswing.”
According to the El Paso report, Allergies Hit The Borderland, “What is to blame for the sniffles, sneezing, and sore throats, is all the recent rain.”
Weather has a definite affect on allergies. According to Allergy & Asthma Advocate, Spring 2003, “not even scientists who have computer mathematical models incorporating years of pollen and meteorological data, will know what this year’s pollen season will be like.” According to this report, factors that affect pollen levels include “soil temperatures, number of days above 55 degrees, duration of freezing temperatures throughout the winter and moisture levels.”
I live in Bakersfield, Ca. The Doc did a allergy test on me and concluded that I had severe reaction to the following: outdoor mold; house dust mite; alfalfa, sage, pig weed, lamb quater; ceder tree,elm tree, privet tree; grasses like bermuda, rye, fescue, kentucky blue. If I was to relocate, what’s the best place? — DG, California
What is the best climate for me? Where should I move? What can I do to get relief from these allergies?
The first step is to see your physician. Your physician can help you determine the cause of your symptoms. They may not be related to allergies. If your physician and you feel allergies may be the culprit, your doctor can do allergy testing to determine the specific allergens involved. Only then will you be armed to make a decision about climate.
For example, if it is found that your only allergy is dust mites, it would be pointless to move to another climate for help. Dust mites are everywhere. There are environmental controls that can help with dust mite allergy, but moving to another climate won’t help. You may want to see:
Where does house dust come from?
Once you know what is causing your symptoms, you will be better to decide if moving to another climate is something you want to consider.
Spring is the season when we throw back the curtain of winter and welcome a bright new start. Not only do we feel the urge to dig and plant outside; we want to dig out from clutter winter has imposed upon us inside too. As we freshen our homes, let’s also remember to clear out indoor allergens that have accumulated over winter.
If anyone should know how to do that, it is Katie Weaver. Katie grew up with allergies. Katie writes:
I am so glad that Americans are thinking of ways to make homes and living environments healthier. After all, when my dad worked to make our home more allergy-friendly, it drastically reduced my allergic symptoms. There are lots of simple solutions to make a healthier home, and should you want or need to hire outside service companies for cleaning or remediation, be sure that they are reputable and doing their job in the healthiest way possible.
Katie’s father used the things he had learned while helping Katie to start his own company that helps others with allergies. In 1991, when I first got into the allergy nursing field, National Allergy was in it’s infancy. But I learned from them. I’d often hold one of their patient education flyers in one hand and the phone receiver in the other as I helped a patient with allergy symptoms. A few years ago, National Allergy became one of our sponsors here at AllergyNursing.com. Today I still go to their website to look up info to help patients. I’ve learned that I can trust them to recommend only the best products and services. With all the scams and price gougers out there, that means a lot to me!
So for those who could use a little help with Spring allergy cleaning, I’m proud to recommend editor Katie Weaver’s May 2006 issue of National Allergy e-mail newsletter: Home Service Companies - Avoiding Scams and Getting the Most for Your Money.
Allergy sufferers in all climates have a common sound in the Spring. Spring is often dubbed the “Sneezin’ Season.”
People are so used to the sound of a sneeze that even the loudest “Achooooo!” rarely gets much attention. How long has it been since you saw heads turn to see who sneezed behind them during a formal lecture? But try singing or whistling ever so softly during the lecture and see what happens! So, since the sneeze is so acceptable, how should you do it?
If you thought stiffling the sneeze to lessen attention and the spread of germs is the way to go, think again. Baylor University published an item this week that praises the lowly sneeze and explains the proper technique! See:
Allergy Sufferers Should Bless Sneezing
According to the Baylor article, “The person doing the sneezing, more often than the amount or kind of irritant, determines if the sneeze comes out as a gale-force windstorm or several small ach-oos.” Click the link above to discover the best way to do it and the dangers of doing it wrong!
Traditionally, it has been felt that the cleaner, the better. For example, see:
Spring cleaning can help keep allergies in check.
Now there is new research. See:
Allergy Alert: Too clean is not good
and:
To head off allergies, expose your kids to pets and dirt early. Really.
But most still agree that if your child has asthma and allergies already, you need to limit their exposure to the things they are allergic to. At our clinic, we still recommend making the bedroom an ‘allergy-free zone’ for those with environmental allergies.
This item, provided by one of our AllergyNursing.com sponsors, shows how to do that step-by-step:
Interactive Allergy-Proof Bedroom
