Better climate in Colorado? (Denver: rent, insurance, allergies)

[virtualcomposer]

Is mold and allergies allot better in Colorado? My wife has severe allergic reactions to mold and pollen here in Tennessee and it's only getting worse. I did some research and Colorado keeps coming up as a good place to live for people with severe allergies. I think it has something to do with the cold. We don't mind the cold. I'm also in professional media and wondering if anyone knows if there is allot of work in music, animation, or audio/video editing.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by virtualcomposer

Is mold and allergies allot better in Colorado? My wife has severe allergic reactions to mold and pollen here in Tennessee and it's only getting worse. I did some research and Colorado keeps coming up as a good place to live for people with severe allergies. I think it has something to do with the cold. We don't mind the cold. I'm also in professional media and wondering if anyone knows if there is allot of work in music, animation, or audio/video editing.

People here do have allergies, there is a thread on that, see the index, either in COL or in Denver forum. A lot of people lose their allergies when they come here to this dry climate.

Humidity is low here, mold and mildew are almost unknown unless a pipe full of 'dirty' water breaks in your home.

[virtualcomposer]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

People here do have allergies, there is a thread on that, see the index, either in COL or in Denver forum. A lot of people lose their allergies when they come here to this dry climate.

Humidity is low here, mold and mildew are almost unknown unless a pipe full of 'dirty' water breaks in your home.

LOL! Understandable. It's a must with her allergies and it seems to be turning into chronic bronchitis so we have to act quite soon. We want to live far enough away from the city to where we can rent a 2-3 bedroom cabin for a good price but close enough to where we can find work. Any ideas?

[jazzlover]

I have posted this before. First, DO NOT MOVE TO COLORADO UNLESS YOU HAVE A JOB IN HAND. Period. Second, as to allergies, your wife needs to get tested specifically for common Colorado allergens. That is probably best done by a Colorado allergist experienced with what allergens are present in the state. Colorado has many native plants that tend to engender strong allergic reactions in those who are prone to allergies. Also, do not assume that if you spend a few days here and your wife has no reactions that she won't later on. My allergist tells me that quite often it can take a period of days, weeks, or months before allergic reactions to "new" allergens manifest themselves.

It is true that some people who move here get allergy relief from the drier climate, but many do not. There are a lot of practicing allergists in Colorado--there's a reason.

PS--I am living proof that it is possible to be a Colorado native, live in the Rocky Mountain region for one's whole life, and STILL have severe allergies.

[virtualcomposer]

so what can be an answer then besides taking medication the rest of one's life?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by virtualcomposer

so what can be an answer then besides taking medication the rest of one's life?

That is what I'm doing--the immunotherapy routine, which has helped me considerably.

[virtualcomposer]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

That is what I'm doing--the immunotherapy routine, which has helped me considerably.

What is that?

[bluescreen73]

I'm with jazz on this one. My family moved to Colorado from Wisconsin when I was 10. Rewind about a year or so before our move. I had terrible ragweed and dust allergies. I was getting recurrent ear infections and other maladies the doctor blamed on my allergies, so my mom had me tested.

I found out I am allergic to dogs, cats, dust, pine trees, ragweed, and sagebrush. My mom decided that I needed desensitizing shots. Each allergen in the serum adds cost to the bottom line so my mom had to choose which allergies to attack. I remember this very foretelling line "Sagebrush? We don't need to put that in there, we'll never move to Colorado." Well we did and lo and behold every year when the sagebrush bloomed I was again in hay fever hell.

There are allergens in Colorado, believe me. Even though the state is dusty, dust mites aren't a huge problem because the air is so dry, but beware of sagebrush, ragweed, and juniper and cottonwood trees.

As for the argument that there's no mold in Colorado, that's also false. Grass molds are pretty high in the early spring after the snow melts off, especially in Western Colorado.

As far as treating your allergies goes you really only have 3 choices:

1) Live with your symptoms and treat as needed with nasal steroids and/or antihistamines

2) Desensitizing shots. These help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever but they can be costly if your insurance doesn't cover them and the shot regimen can easily last 3-5 years or longer.

3) Find an environment where none of your specific allergens are present. The planetary poles and a plastic bubble are good starts

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by virtualcomposer

What is that?

Allergy shots.

[virtualcomposer]

Well, I'm going to take my wife to an allergen doctor to find out what she is allergic to and types of molds and do my research to find out what state doesn't have what the doctor says she's allergic to. Then we can make a better decision as where to go. One thing is certain, shots and pills all have some side affects and are very costly which we cannot afford. So moving is the best option. Another thing to is that we are in the middle of the allergy and mold capital of the US so anywhere would be better. I love Tennessee but can't have her hacking everyday constantly. Thanks for the advice and we'll go to an allergen doctor soon to find out the facts. ( :