Allergy Sufferers (Charlotte, Asheville: hotels, new home, buy)

[chadetroit]

After almost 2 years of research on NC my wife and I are... well... still researching It's a big deal trying to move across the country and we'll try to get it as right as possible on the first try. So on to one of my biggest questions.

We have visited Charlotte and South Carlolina in April and in late July both times my wife got a sinus infection. Pollen was high and given one of the times we drove 1/2 the day in a miata with the top down from Senca, SC to Charlotte. That was not smart at all. I would love to hear from some allergy sufferers on their experiences and how they have delt with the high pollen activity in NC. Anyone tried allergy shots? How did they work? Anyone successfull with controlling their environment, i.e. stay in Air Conditioned places (like home) when the pollen is high and only venture outdoors later in the night or early in the morning.

I'm absolutely in love with the area and see it could give my wife and I a future and life we could never have in California. But it would not be worth her health and that is something we must seriously consider. Hopefully some of you kind folks out there have had some experience you could share. Thank you!

[roxors]

I don't know if this is a similar situation or what, but my fiancee has experienced more allergies and the like since she moved to the Asheville area in 2002, before we had met. She moved from Phoenix, where these things happened with much less frequency. We'll probably be moving from Asheville in about a year and a half to Texas, for job and housing reasons, and I'm guessing her allergies won't be as bad there due to the drier climate in the area we're planning on. Allergy shots have helped somewhat, but she still has frequent sinus issues.

[dandevder]

We came from CT where my son had terrible allergies. Since coming to NC he has started taking allergy shots and it has gotten much better. He gets one shot a week and it is much better than loading up on claritin and other medicines daily. Best of luck to you!

[resident]

I had horrible allergies growing up and still do sometimes but I have moved a lot due to military and I will say that as the years go on I tend to have less issues with the allergies..I assume my body is getting used to the allergens?
I do have frequent sinus problems but we love it here and moving is not an option. If she can find a good allergist and find seomthing that works for her (I use a nasal steroid spray regularly as mine is just sinus issues) I would think she would do fine. Also you can have a filtering system put on your hvac unit as well and make sure to vacuum and dust regularly in your home. When I stay in hotels I have a issues too usually with dust and other things.
The only thing you all can do is weigh the pros and cons of a move out here. Good luck

[chadetroit]

Thank you for the feedback thus far. We do have a system in place now of keeping a clean house, HVAC filter and also purchased an in room air purifier to help out. Wish we could take a 3 month life trial and do a test run out there but we all know that is not reality. Thanks again everyone.

[berryjuice4life]

oh Chad that would be so great with the 3 month trial..LOL its too bad we cnat..LOL....

[niknaxx]

Originally Posted by roxors

I don't know if this is a similar situation or what, but my fiancee has experienced more allergies and the like since she moved to the Asheville area in 2002, before we had met. She moved from Phoenix, where these things happened with much less frequency. We'll probably be moving from Asheville in about a year and a half to Texas, for job and housing reasons, and I'm guessing her allergies won't be as bad there due to the drier climate in the area we're planning on. Allergy shots have helped somewhat, but she still has frequent sinus issues.

It depends on what her problems are. I used to live in NY, NC, and FL and several different cities in each. The worse problem I have ever had with my allergies was Asheville! There are so many trees and grasses and the pollination can be very high, and then the pollen gets stuck in the valleys and doesn't blow away and disintegrate as easily. The only thing that helped me there was rain and lots of it!

I also couldn’t cool the house using the cool air at night. I had to keep the windows shut so I would have a safe haven. I’ve grown accustomed to that but it could bother some. I figure when I want to be outside, I can go out there but I need a place where I can breathe freely, too! Air conditioning would definitely help her if she doesn’t have a mold problem.

[chadetroit]

Thank you for your experience. She tends to be fine with just the AC as long as we keep the house clean (we have a cat too which means dusting and vacuuming on a regular basis). So it would probably be better if we had a little open area around the house and a higher elevation so the pollen does not get trapped in a valley like situation. That makes sense.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

No rugs, no carpet, no draperies or "window treatments" is the easiest way to start out right in a new home. Then the HVAC filter, and regular dusting. There is an allergy thing to wipe your cat with, to remove dried saliva from their fur. Good luck!

[BarbJ]

My husband never had allergies until a few years ago (in his mid-sixties.) They drove him crazy. He finally went to the Charlotte Asthma and Allergy Clinic for desensitization shots and has continuously gotten better. We also , because of my long-time struggle with respiratory diseases - do not have carpet or drapes. In addition, we have four or five expensive air purifiers running 24/7. I stay inside om high alert ozone days.

My daughter loves her cat. Therefore, although she tests highly allergic to cat protein, sleeps with the little critter on her pillow and receives bi-monthly cat desensitization shots. They seem to work.

I, on the other hand took, shots for about twenty years and finally called it quits when I realized that they were not helping at all.

In the end, my advice is similar to the other posters; no carpet, no drapes, dust and vacuum frequently, buy good air purifiers, research your vacuum cleaner purchase and try the shots.