I moved when I was 3 from Los Angeles to Chicago and got ashtma. I moved to South America and it went away. I moved then to Chicago and was fine. I then moved to West Palm Beach Florida. My days and nights are miserable cant breath cant drink or eat anything. As soon as i go to Chicago 3 days later everything is gone. But I dont like Chicago anymore. I’m considering going to California to see what happens? — John, Florida

I moved to Southern FLorida in the past month from Chicago and had never experienced allergies/hayfever. Now, I feel like I’m dying. Is it something in the air? The new trees and flowers? Different environment from the cement-jungle of Chicago? AND what should I do to alleviate if not rid my body completely of the sneezes, sniffles and mucous? Cannot take much more. Help!!! — Tim, Florida

This is my 2nd year living in Florida. Both husband and I are bothered terribly by itchy, swollen, red eyes, congestion, and sneezing. The first year here we were both fine and now we are miserable. What has changed in Florida’s air? We have both over the counter and prescription allergy medicine. Nothing is touching this. — Sharon, Florida

Note from AllergyNurse: Is it possible the increase in hurricane activity in recent years has spawned some changes that are just now surfacing? If so, what might they be?

After the Katrina hurricane, the news media kept us informed of the moldy conditions with items such as this one:
Toxic Mold Spreads through Soggy South (Associated Press on MSNBC, September 27, 2005.) But a study reported earlier that same year indicated that:
People Often Mistake Ordinary Allergy for Toxic Mold Syndrome (WebMD, January 27, 2005).

Of course, Florida had its big onslaught of hurricanes the previous year, in 2004. NOAA reported that “An unprecented 4 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne) affected Florida this year [2004],” and Florida has experienced hurricane activity in years since then also.

Is all this affecting Florida’s air? There was some commentary that this may indeed be so in a previous post. See:
Seminole County Florida - new allergies?

What do you all think?

Here is an excellent item from Jackson Health System, Miami, Florida. This offers allergy sufferers tips on how to prepare before the hurricane, as well as what to do after the hurricane. See:
Hurricane Tips: Allergies

Lois (AllergyNurse)

Over the past 51 years I have traveled through all 50 states and lived in 16 of them. Most of my years have been in the Hawaiian Islands, Florida, California and now Oklahoma. I have NEVER been alergic to anything in my life, with the exception of Oklahoma, since my husband and I moved here 2 years ago. I AM MISERABLE! The doctor has me on 7 different meds and told me, “Move to Missouri!” After reading updates on the message board about MO, I’m sceptical… — Tamara, Oklahoma

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

Seminole County Florida-I have lived here for 20 years and as a kid I have never had a severe allergy problem. In the past 3 years me and my whole family have been extremly sick during the months of Dec-March. With one cold after another, I believe there is something that is new or worse in the air in these months. My brother lives only a mile a way and his whole family is the same way. If you can give me any insight on this problem, which allergies are worse this time of year here in this area, I would greatly appreciate it, or if any one else experience this change too. — N.H., Florida

I grew up in TN and did not develop serious allergies until I was an adult. I was terrorized by them. I was off a month of work once because nothing I did helped.

My Husband was stationed in the desert area of Southern California,which is very dry all year round and does not get to cold but very hot in the summer. Since living here the one thing I can’t complain about are my allergies. Only during the first couple of months of what should be fall and spring do I have problems and that is even mild. I do keep allergy medications on hand during those times. All in all, I have had no real complaints about them and I have only been sick two times in the past year and a half. — Catherine, California

I was born with chronic asthma as much I got older it got more worse. in 2001 my asthma got really bad I was always in the hospital, I was admitted like once a month or sometimes once every 2-3 months. Then in 2002 I was getting asthma alot I was injecting myself with epipen but there times that I almost passed away. Then I couldn’t take it anymore I decided to move to Florida because of this illness.

Then I got to Florida I was still getting asthma but in 2005 it got really life threatning that I was going to the hospital every two weeks (more…)

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

From California to Ontario, New York, and Florida, ragweed seems to have made it’s debut early and with a bumper crop this August.

Lansing, Michigan:
Worst summer for allergies in decades
“The pollen count is…the highest it’s been in fifty years…. Ragweed everywhere and no relief in sight.” [WLNS, Lansing]

Los Angeles, California
Bumper crop of ragweed kicks off allergy season
“Summer rains followed by hot, dry temperatures in many areas have produced a bumper crop of ragweed.” [NBC4, Los Angeles]

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Break out of the mold
“A particularly bad year for mold spores and an accelerating ragweed season are giving them itchy eyes and runny noses.” [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

Ontario, Canada
Achoo! Ragweed arrives early
“Ragweed has made her a prisoner in her own house…. ‘It was July 30 when it started and it hasn’t stopped.’” [Hamilton Spectator, Ontario Canada]

Washington, DC
Ragweed arrives early in district
“If you’re an allergy sufferer who is feeling a little off this morning in that allergy-related kind of way, you can thank ragweed season for arriving two weeks early.” [DCist, Washington, DC]

Little Rock, Arkansas
Heat, humidity fueling hay fever
“Doctors say an increase in pollen, ragweed, and mold is creating more cases of hay fever.” [Today’s THV, Little Rock, Arkansas]

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida
Ragweed season starting up for allergy sufferers
“Ragweed season is upon us…. And this year, people may suffer more than ever.” [WTSB, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida]

New York City, NY
Ways to cope with a brutal allergy season
“Allergy sufferers, the early predictions are in and get ready for an especially brutal fall season.” [WABC-TV, New York]