What are the allergies like in AK? (Fairbanks, Metlakatla: house, live)

[lovinCarl]

I never had allergies till I turned 26 and moved to Sacramento. I was dying. Then I moved to Reno thinking dry, no humidy, no allergies... oh HELL no.. sagebrush

So we moved here to Montana and go figure we literally moved to one of the windiest places in the nation. The allergies here are terrible for everybody (dogwood) and I know this because I'm a transcriptionist for the hospital. What gets to me is even here in the winter w/snow all around but the wind going 60 mph my sinuses kill me and I could sleep all day.

Does AK have issues w/alot of people w/allegies there???

[seastar311]

My allergies are no problem when I'm up there. Last summer I brought two types of eye drops with, along with benedryl, etc. and didn't need any of it.

[Barkingowl]

I have really dry skin on my elbows. I didn't have it when I was in AK.

[warptman]

I'm allergic to homemade bread...it sucks. I can eat store bought though, weird.

[Metlakatla]

I have the usual type of "have fever" allergies and I've never had a problem in Alaska. A friend of mine suffers pretty badly when the fireweed start to go to seed but I don't think that's too common. You might have trouble with cottonwood. Lots of people have allergic reactions to cedar also. If you're going to move to SE be aware that mold can be a huge problem there. But I think that for the most part, people with plant allergies do better in AK than in other areas.

[karibear]

I turned out to be mildly allergic to alder blossoms, but since they don't last long, it wasn't a problem - but naturally, alders were all around the house on all sides. No worse than a brief spring cold, anyway. Far as I know, that's the only thing I've ever been allergic to that's green and growing.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

But I think that for the most part, people with plant allergies do better in AK than in other areas.

Except for devil's club. It's hell on sensitive skin...

[Grannysroost]

My Kylee (4 years old) with asthma and allergies galore, to dogs, cats, whatever...mind you we have three dogs and not a problem while here and was here all summer, after bringing her nebulizer, spare antibiotics..She is in MN and has a constant problem with bronchitis, pneumonia, now going on again...4th time since going back in September, but has been sick at least every two weeks with something....all I gave her was Zyrtec every nite....I think the lower temps here have a lot to do with it, but just my opinion....

[MissingAll4Seasons]

DH is asthmatic and allergic to lots of stuff. The only problem he had in AK (Fairbanks area) was getting a little dried out which triggered some mild asthma... but that goes away once you get used to the lower humidity. All his other allergies got better. I think the only hay fever thing we'll have to watch for is some of the trees (cottonwood esp) because his eyes and sinuses act up when those are pollinating no matter where we live. He got a comprehensive allergy panel done, and we've cross-checked the plants & animals he's allergic to and AK has about 75% less of his airborne allergens.

[RayinAK]

MissingAll4Seasons:

Just wait for a couple of Spring seasons to pass by Alaska has a high number of willow and birch, which in some years produce enough pollen to turn puddles yellow after the rain. Take a look at the rain puddles after the rain in May. Not kidding! During the Spring when willow and then birch bloom, a lot of people suffer from hay fever. Some of the over the counter medication is regulated in Alaska. Claritin, and Allegra may be two of the most popular allergy medications, but all kinds are in high demand during the summer.

During the summer, the local radio stations broadcast the pollen count, and also here:
http://www.tvcclinic.com/allergy/pollencount.shtml

By the way, Congratulations on your nice photos at the Photography Forum!