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
Midwest
Mold allergies in Oregon?
I have lived in the Midwest most of my life and have been doing a lot of research comparing Oregon to Wisconsin & Minnesota. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2008. Heat and humidity as well as extreme cold worsen MS symptoms. I’ve also lived in Northern Virginia, England, and Germany. I think a milder, less extreme climate might be better for my MS, but I’m also sensitive to mold. Any thoughts, please? – Christine, Wisconsin
Allergies in IN,TN and AL: midwest or PA better?
My son and I lived in Indiana most of our lives. Normal seasonal allergies. Nothing major (our bodies adapted to the pollens well since we lived there for such a long time). In 06 we moved to Tennessee and my allergies became terrible. Had to use an inhaler. My son had to go on allergy medicine for the first time. His sinuses became clogged constantly. We moved to Alabama this May (09). It has been a living nightmare. I have had pneumonia twice. My son lost his singing voice and had to go to an allergist. I am unemployed and no insurance. I take the allergy medicine that didn’t work for him. We are considering Seattle, Washington or back to the midwest like Kansas City or Pennsylvania. Seattle is out top pick for many reasons. I don’t want to move across the country and find we are in a nightmare. So far I have seen only one posting that someone couldn’t live there. Other than that, it seems favorable. I will take all of the feedback I can get. I’m a single Mom and a move this large for nothing could be catastrophic for to us. Thanks so much! – Submitted by Michelle in Alabama
Allergies in Ohio, Memphis, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada
We need to move from Ohio. I am allergic to dust mites, trees that are grown in Ohio and the Midwest, and grass. My wife is allergic to molds. I can not even take my 5 year old son outside without getting Bhronchitis this year. We are looking at moving to either Arizonia, Southern California, Colorado or Nevada. Which place would be best? I lived in NW Ohio and Central Ohio except for 5 years in Memphis. My allergies have always been bad in Ohio. My allergies were a little better in Memphis. — Rick, Ohio
Allergy in Bucks County (Philadelphia), Orange County CA, Midwest
I have a job opportunity in Bucks County near Philadelphia. Until I was 22, I lived in the midwest and suffered horribly from allergies (mostly ragweed, grass and animals). I had asthma attacks every Spring and Fall. After moving to Orange County, California my allergies improved 90%. I would like to move to a more economical area. Am I making a mistake considering moving to Philadelphia? — Nichole, California
Midwest, Florida
I have lived my entire life in the midwest and my allergies just seem to be getting worse and worse. I think it depends on WHAT you are allergic to. I am allergic to dust and pollen and find relief after a good rain. But I know people with mold allergies who are worse after it rains. I am thinking Florida might work for me. I know when we visited there I did not suffer. It was nice and sunny, but always rained once a day, the sun would come out and become pretty humid. I could live with humid if I didn’t sneeze my head off all day! — MSM, Midwest
