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

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

I have a three year old son who has recently showed signs of becoming sensitized, to possibly everything. He has been diagnosed with ATOPIC ECZEMA. I have been researching all over, I understand there is some questions between dermatologists and allergists on what the cause for such a severe condition could be. Me his mother, being the genetic donor of such a horrible affliction, knows the condition first hand.

I strongly believe this condition has several parts to it. One being an immune issue, the second being allergies, and the third part extremely dry and sensitive skin. So with a sliver of knowledge, I am taking aim to improve his condition without the use of the enormous amount of drugs dermatologists have prescribed him at 3 years old. We are working closely with a wonderful allergist who has the patience and knowledge to deal with my family. My question is we now live in Albuquerque, NM. He has been through two RAST tests (blood tests to check for IgE levels), and a patch test which had no results for us to read. He, according to the RAST test has low and moderate levels to most allergic foods (wheat, dairy, corn, soy, eggs, and peanuts), he also shows a low moderate to dogs and elm.

At this point I have not noticed hay fever symptoms for our dogs we have, but with this new information from the blood tests, the dogs and his reactions to them are under my careful observation. He is on a very restricted diet and his skin is clearing with out the prescribed drugs. We will begin introducing one food at a time very soon to see the effects.

So sorry about the long preface to my question. We live in Abq., and have an opportunity to move to Fort Smith Arkansas. With the knowledge he has the possibility for his allergies to get worse (sensitized), which climate would be more likely to exascerbate his condition, the dry and very pollen filled Abq., or Arkansas a humid climate I know very little about? — Kendra, Albuquerque, NM

Rainy weather boosted the pollen count this fall in places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

But if you live in Cincinnati, Ohio, take heart! Here’s an excerpt from the August 27, 2006, issue of The Cincinnati Enquirer which quotes Anna Kelley, quality assurance and monitoring coordinator for the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services:

Ragweed pollen should be peaking about now….

[but] as far as ragweed goes, “we’re a little behind last year’s values, which is fine,” Kelley said.

See the entire Enquirer story here: Dry August eases allergy symptoms.

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

I’ve lived in Miami, upstate New York, the Bay Area in California (San Francisco etc) San Diego, San Luis Obispo & now in Albuquerque, New Mexico & New Mexico has proved the worst for allergies, in my case. — Molly, New Mexico

We moved because of the military from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Germany. My son had allergy/asthma issues before but nothing like now. He was retested since we have been here and he is allergic to mold which we did not test for in NM. His medication has been doubled since being here and he is now on 5 medicines at the age of 6. The Army is looking into moving us from Germany back to the states to a hotter/drier climate. Germany is very damp, and moldy. But we are yet to find out the best place for my son. What we do know is he was significantly better in NM. — S.K.H., Germany

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on February 11, 2004]

From one of our readers

My family and I suffer from both outdoor and indoor allergies. I wanted to know if moving to a moisturized climate would be better for us? — Lola, California

A different reader writes

Eighteen months ago I moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Naples, Florida and am in the midst of a bronchial infection caused from sinus drainage. This condition has been ongoing for six weeks now.

I wonder now if it was such a wise idea to move from a high desert climate to reclaimed land that was once a large swamp? The torrential rainfall we have here in southwest Florida probably doesn’t help — Lewis, Florida

Most people find that allergy symptoms lessen in dryer climates or seasons, and worsen with increased humidity. Increased humidity promotes mold spore growth and provides an ideal environment for dust mites. It is also harder to breathe as the barometer goes up. Those of us in more humid areas are often helped by a using dehumidifier continually during high moisture seasons. You can read about my own experience with a dehumidifier here.

However, a humidifier is sometimes prescribed on a temporary basis to soothe the airways and help loosen secretions of chronic infection or other special needs. Unless specifically ordered by your physician, humidifiers should not be run continually because they can promote growth of mold and dust mites. Talk with your physician about what is best for you.

It is always good to spend time in an area you are considering moving to. Visit during different seasons. Even so, there is no sure way to determine how your body will react to the new climate once you move there.

One of our patients who moved to a drier climate a few years ago found that she did not need to continue her shots there at first. But eventually symptoms worsened to the point that she started allergy injections again.

Others have told me that changing climates relieved their symptoms and eliminated their need for injections.

One of our sponsors, National Allergy Supply, has an excellent selection of dehumidifiers as well as a germ-killing humidifier. They also have an excellent reputation as a professional company with down-home values, and I am proud to be able to recommend their products to you.

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on October 20, 2003]

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]