I work at a school in deep southern illinois, an area infamous for high pollen and mold counts and wickedly humid, high temps in the summer. A new student from northern Ohio has been having difficulty breathing when running outside for P.E. and has had to stop a couple of times under my supervision. My co-worker and I are concerned the climate change could be a reason. His mother says he is probably faking as he hasn’t had an asthma attack in two or three yrs. Is there a real basis to our theory? – submitted by EW
Illinois [IL]
Allergies and asthma in California, Chicago, South America, Florida
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
Allergy problems in southern Florida, from Chicago’s cement-jungle
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
Allergies in Chicago, Vegas, Utah
My husband and I are both born and raised in Chicago where he has struggled with allergies/asthma since he was in grade school. There, he used his inhaler daily, plus using decongestant and antihistamine. He was miserable almost year-round, and got more than the usual number of colds (he had colds at least 4x a year).
Here in Vegas, he is a changed man. Does not use his inhaler AT ALL, and does not use antihistamines nor decongestants. He has not had a cold in 2 years here (we’ve now been here 9).
My story seems to be the exact opposite. I had seasonal allergies and non-allergic rhinitis back in Chicago. Here, I have problems breathing year-round. When the wind blows, forget it – I can’t even venture outside or I’ll be in bed for a day or two.
Maybe we’ll try Utah next! — P., Nevada
Ragweed has competition for first place right now
What’s biggest fall allergen? If you said “Ragweed,” you’re right, but…
[August 17, 2006] Rockford Register Star, Rockford, Illinois, reports:
Right now is prime season for the dreaded ragweed, but Rockford pharmacist Raj Patel has been busier treating allergies of a different sort.
‘Bee-sting allergies are the biggest thing right now,’ said Patel….
‘About September, when it starts getting a little cooler, that’s when we see more people with (seasonal) allergies.’
See the entire Rockford Register Star article here:
Allergies: Culprits change, misery doesn’t
Illinois and Western U.S.
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
Florida, Chicago, South America
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
