Allergies (Derry, Londonderry: landscaping, living, garden)

[booker_one]

So how bad are allergies up there? I am in Texas and am allergic to grass and certain trees. Do any of you guys have it bad with allergies?

[DareToDream]

Originally Posted by booker_one

So how bad are allergies up there? I am in Texas and am allergic to grass and certain trees. Do any of you guys have it bad with allergies?

I think your answer is going to depend on the person and how "highly sensitive" you are to certain things. I had a terrible time with allergies in NYS, ragweed, goldenrod, mold, grass, some tree pollen. Up here, I haven't had much of a problem at all - I still get filled up when the lawn is mowed, but other than that, do not sneeze, cough, have sinus problems, etc.

We're in Northern NH, so it may also make a difference depending on where you are in the state.

[bryfry]

Depending where you are is real critical to how you are going to feel. I have a terrible probelm with oak pollen on the Cape, but if I go into NH, I don't. I seem to get effected by the grasses in NH, but others, like pine pollen, don't hit me like they do on the Cape. Every person is different, for sure!

[Tarastomsgirl]

I had a horrible problem with them in the Autumn, my eyes burned and itched and I had a horrible sore scratchy throat. It was probably everything dying and all the pollens being released in the hair. Everything was coated in this yellow dusty pollen for a few weeks, I could literally brush it off my car, and the lakes had a yellow film over them . It stopped during the winter but I've been having some twinges of it the past week or so with spring on its way. So I'm interested to see how I feel. My allergies got worse coming from the south to up north, but I'm not used to the plants up north so that doesn't help

[isis297]

I am curious about this too. My two oldest sons have allergies here in upstate NY. Everytime we would go to visit my SIL in Londonderry, my sons will get stuffy. It's a bit frustrating because we know we can't continue living here and have considered NH to be near family and more job opportunities but the thought of them constantly being irritated by allergies bugs me.

[booker_one]

maybe they should go to an allergist and get tested. i was tested and started taking shots for grass and trees. it has definitely helped but every once in a while i get this scratchy throat and itchy eyes.

[bryfry]

Originally Posted by Tarastomsgirl

..... It was probably everything dying and all the pollens being released in the hair. Everything was coated in this yellow dusty pollen for a few weeks, I could literally brush it off my car, and the lakes had a yellow film over them . .....

That's pine pollen. It's not from the plants dying, it's from them living! Different species of evergreens release their pollen at different times. We usually get our pine pollen (yellowish green) in June here on the Cape, mostly white pine. You guys get all sorts of pines up there like pitch pines, firs, spruces, hemlocks, junipers, and other softwoods. There are close to 70 native tree species in NH (mostly hardwoods), so you have lots of pollen flying around at certain times. Pine pollen seems to be the most annoying, visually and as an irritant.

[Valerie C]

My daughter has been complaining of those same twinges this past week or so, the scratchy throat, itchy eyes, etc. Ma Nature won't be denied just because there is still snow on the ground. The length of the day is most of what signals the plants to get moving, and they are listening! I'm noticing tinges of color on the branch tips. The willows are yellow/green, the maples are reddish, and all it's going to take is 3 or 4 days in a row for the trees to start budding out...

Isis, I live in Londonderry, and I think we are the capital of pollinating white pine trees! We're known for apple orchards, but the residents will tell you that we have more pine trees than apple trees, and it'll be like a big pollination party up here in another month or two...

Originally Posted by Tarastomsgirl

I've been having some twinges of it the past week or so with spring on its way.

[buck naked]

this is the time of year when I start with the eyes, nose and throat business. The trees are having SEX! OH no! don't look!


I have terrible allergies and I've unfortunately passed them on to my children. It get's worse as you get older.

I'm bothered with the trees now, pine pollen season (when everything is yellow), grass, mold, ragweed, and various others. I get migraines in the early fall, but haven't decided WHICH weed it is...I suspect goldenrod.

Aleve (sp?) helps.....

[Valerie C]

Actually, that's one of the biggest myths around (goldenrod allergies). Goldenrod pollen is in reality heavy and sticky and designed for insect pollination, not wind pollination. The only way to get goldenrod pollen in your nasal passages is to stick the flower up your nose. I just learned that last fall (thank you Derry Garden Club!) What you may actually be allergic to is ragweed, which happens to pollinate at the same time goldenrod is blooming. Ragweed is a dull plant that produces a very light, barely visible dust, and attracts no attention (even from insects!) unlike bright and beautiful Goldenrod!

Ragweed Allergy | Pictures of Giant Ragweed | Allergy-Causing Weeds

Has anyone heard of the old remedy of taking honey for allergy relief? The thought is that there are small amounts of pollens in the honey, and may help with symptoms. Just a thought from someone who hates to take meds from a bottle and would rather find something in the garden...

Originally Posted by buck naked

I get migraines in the early fall, but haven't decided WHICH weed it is...I suspect goldenrod.