One of our readers asks

Where is a good place to live for allergy sufferers? I thought the desert was a good area, like Victorville, CA? — Chris, California

Response from AllergyNurse:

One of our patients who grew up in New Mexico told me he never had a problem with allergies until he came to Arkansas.

Yet the University of New Mexico Hospital website notes that trees, especially juniper, grasses, and weeds cause problems with allergies even in New Mexico.

Another of our patients who has lived in California, Arizona, Texas, and now Arkansas said she suffered with allergies everywhere, even in the dry climate of Arizona.

The University of Arizona website says in Arizona “maximum pollen counts are lower than in most other regions in the USA,” and that in some circumstances mold and dust mites are less as well.

But there’s a flip side. Here in Arkansas, our patients are currently looking forward to a hard freeze that will greatly diminish pollen problems, though dust mite and mold allergies continue throughout the winter.

But in warmer, drier climates, like Arizona, the pollen season also lasts year round.

Tucson, Albuquerque, and Las Vegas report high levels of air pollution also. Pollutants can make allergies worse.

A reader from Iran wrote asking about problems with grass pollen in that area. Scientists say no country or area is free from allergy problems.

The University of Arizona puts it well: “…there really is no safe haven for the allergy sufferer.”

[The link for the University of Arizona quote may have been removed, I couldn’t find it on their website anymore. (If you find it, post a comment here.) However they have lots of excellent info about allergies in Arizona and the Southwest. Start with:
Moving to the Southwest for Health Reasons?

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on 1-22-03]