Santa Fe Allergies - Rabbitbrush (homes, living in, mold) - New Mexico (NM) -Santa Fe County - City-Data Forum

TruBlu12345 · 09-30-2007, 07:09 PM

My husband and I are looking for a place to retire and are considering the Santa Fe NM area. However, we have one big concern--after living in Nevada, my husband discovered he is severely allergic to rabbit brush when it blooms in the Fall. Can anyone tell me if there is much (or any) rabbit brush around Santa Fe? If so, is there anywhere in New Mexico that does NOT have rabbit brush? Appreciate any information.

chilegal · 09-30-2007, 08:00 PM

Not sure what Rabbit Brush is.. Do you have more info on it?

Find out what elevation it grows at, that could help on where to live.

TruBlu12345 · 10-01-2007, 09:26 AM

Rabbitbrush (most common species, chrysothamnus nauseosue)often grows among sagebrush. It grows from 2 to 4 feet tall, has soft gray-green leaves. It has tufts of yellow flowers that bloom August or September. Lovely when it blooms, except to those who have allergies. Hiking, I have seen it at many different elevations, until you get extremely high, almost to timberline. Don't really want to live above timberline!

Scholar · 10-01-2007, 01:19 PM

Just Google "rabbitbrush in new mexico". It will have a result that is a nursery in Santa Fe that actually sells rabbitbrush. It says it is hardy in zones 4-9, so it should grow in Santa Fe. I remember seeing this (or at least something like this) while visiting there last year.

hideaway · 10-14-2007, 10:40 AM

Hello. I live in Santa Fe, have for 13 years. We have tons of rabbitbrush, which is also related to chamisa, one of the two most notorious allergens in NM (the other being juniper). The season can start as early as August and now, in early October, it's still going strong.

I don't mean to discourage you but if your husband tends to develop allergies, Santa Fe is not a great place for you to consider. Many folks who had no allergies when they moved here develop allergies to juniper or chamisa after a few years. I suppose it's because it's so dry here, plants put out a lot of pollen to increase their odds of reproductive success. Add to that our seasonal high winds (to spread it around), lack of precipitation (so it hangs in the air), and the fact that most homes don't have a/c (so you regulate the temp in your home using open windows), and life can be pretty unpleasant for someone with allergies. I know - my child spends literally months every year socked in with one allergy or another.

TruBlu12345 · 10-24-2007, 06:16 PM

Thanks Hideaway. Your information was most helpful. And,unfortunately, it does sound like Santa Fe will not work for us.

Guess we'll keep looking.

SonomaCo · 03-17-2009, 08:10 PM

I have been thinking about moving to Santa Fe (to Eldorado), and I am wondering if anyone knows how Santa Fe rates for allergies and asthma. I have allergies to pollen, molds and dust. I live here in Sonoma County, California, where there is lots of pollen and mold and I am miserable with asthma in the spring.

TomM1 · 03-17-2009, 09:22 PM

Lots of pollen in the spring.
Many people are sensitive to juniper pollen.
I have had allergies all my life. I expect to get some symptoms this spring.
Last year was bad for me, in late summer with all kinds of weeds and grasses blooming.
This year I am attempting to preempt allergic reactions by eating bee pollen.

SonomaCo · 03-19-2009, 01:50 AM

Thanks. I had juniper allergies when I lived in Austin, TX, so I would probably have it there, too. It's the asthma that is really getting to me. I developed it several years ago in response to the allergies.

Dancingearth · 03-22-2009, 07:39 AM

Achoo...this year has been bad for juniper pollen. Yesterday I felt a little better but last week was the worst yet. When I lived in Eldorado I can remember driving out and thinking there was a fire but it was the juniper bushes releasing pollen. Big puffs of brown coming off the bushes. I love NM except for the allergies in spring.