I have not noticed anyone talk about moving to any coastal/ beach areas? For the past 4 years my wife and I vacation to florida and east coast (myrtle beach,south carolina). All allergy symptoms are pretty much gone when we’re there. My nose clears up, I can see better, less mental fog, etc. As soon as we get back to NW Arkansas, all symtoms come back! We are planning on moving to SC coast ASAP. — Rob

[Note from AllergyNurse: Actually, several have mentioned their experiences in coastal/beach areas. But your comment made me realize that I need to add that under ‘Locations’ in the right menu, so people can find it more easily. I’ve added it now, and linked items which refer to these areas. Thanks for pointing out this need!]

I don’t care if a doctor says theres no better place to live with asthma because there are better places. If they are not asthmatic they will never know the feeling, the torture, the shallowness of breath we can feel. No one will understand unless they are touched by this lung disease.

But one place that i have been that i will never in my life revisit again was Milan,Italy. It was the worst place my breath was so shallow i thought how anyone could stand living here. The polution in Italy is horrible, even Rome, be prepared before you go to Europe.

My asthma feels alot better in Florida Miami south beach even though its humid it helps. But i belive our bodies are made up in so many different make-ups that we have to all find the place were we will feel the best. — Nicholas, Florida

I have had asthma/allergies since an infant. I have lived in Oak Harbor & Tacoma Washington; Tucson Az; Va Beach, Va; and now SD, Ca. Living where there is an offshore breeze always helps to keep the air clean & easier to breathe. We now have no carpeting, and a air cleaner in each rm; perhaps this makes a big difference as well. — MT, San Diego

My hayfever (pollen allergy & asthma): The worst area: England, Cornwall, Devon, Central Europe. The best area: German Baltic coast, Florida — Mirek, Europe

Illinois (Chicago area): Awful. Lived there as a child, was often miserable.

Northern New Mexico: Moderate symptoms, but a tremendous improvement from Illinois.

Northern Utah: No symptoms whatsoever.

Eastern Washington (Tri-Cities): Bad, too much airborne dust.

Western Washington (Seattle): Light symptoms, dramatic improvement.

Western Oregon (Portland): Awful. Ryegrass season was sheer hell. 80-90% of the world’s ryegrass seed is produced in the Willamette Valley! Brought back long-suppressed bad childhood memories.

Coastal California (Santa Barbara and San Francisco): Very few symptoms.

Best compromise between personal preference in climate and symptoms has been Seattle area; probably anywhere on coast or Puget Sound area would be as good. — DWB, Washington

Grew up just South of Omaha and had horrible allergy problems since the age of 8. Not so bad in the winter. A change of diet that avoided additives, preseratives, corn syrup, and others… helped A LOT.

A move to Hunstville, Alabama when I was 30 didn’t change much for the allergy problems, but definately a little.

A move to coastal San Diego County, California was the best! I had to watch out for mold in an apartment I had that was just a block off of ocean cliffs, but that was nothing to worry about, just keep it clean.

I now live in southern Maryland and have virtually no problems, but there is a little bit a tightness in the chest that only goes away in southern California.
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My friend in Australia goes camping at Christmas and sits by the fireplace in June. She’s preparing for fall now. But for much of the globe Spring has arrived, complete with lovely blooms, furious storms, and allergies.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology offers a number of tips to make life easier for those with pollen and mold allergies. Here are some ideas:

• Avoid outdoor activities in the morning if possible. Pollen counts are higher in the mornings.
• Keep doors and windows of your home and vehicle closed to keep pollen and mold spores outside.
• After outside activity, take a shower, wash your hair, and launder the clothing you wore outside to remove pollen.
• Plan camping trips, walks in the park, etc., during the “off-season” for the pollens you are allergic to. (As a general rule, trees pollinate in spring, and weeds in fall. Grasses pollinate in summer with overlap into late spring and early fall.)
• Enjoy a trip to the beach, desert, or other area with minimal vegetation during seasons of heavy pollen.
• Raking leaves and mowing lawns stirs up pollens and molds. Assign this job to someone else if possible. If you must do the job yourself, wear a mask. One of our sponsors offers a mask designed especially for yardwork or housework. See a complete selection of masks here.
• Don’t hang clothes or bedding outdoors to dry. Pollens and molds can collect on them.
• Ask your physician what medications or treatments are best for you.

For more information, see:
Tips to Remember: Outdoor Allergens, from the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

If you are like I am, a chronic suffer of sinusitus, then Albany, New York, is one of last places on earth you should consider as a place to live. Don’t get me wrong, I love everything else about this place, after living here for 20 years. However, I have been literally devestated, overwhelmed and unanchored, by the effect allergies have had and continue to have on my life. I have had major and minor sinus surgery, am now resistant to a list of antibiotics.

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i live in west palm beach florida. i moved from chicago 2 years ago and was fine now theres days i cant breath, see my whole body hurts. upon arriving in chicago or south america everything is gone I just got back from chicago 3 days ago and im sick again im selling everything and leaving for ever — John, Florida

I have moved from a beach community to a new home/wooded 20 minutes away. I now have severe allergies, was moderate, should I consider returning or is it my body? — Diane