[gypsystar]

I just wanted to see how many Gainesville area residents suffer from terrible allergies. I like the area, but one of the reasons we moved back to L.A. was because my allergies were killing me. The mold spore count is high almost every single day in the area and I literally thought I would end up in the emergency room at times - I was very congested, eyes would swell, the works. Anyone with severe pollen or mold allergies should take this post as a warning - I'm scared to even visit the area now. Do you think that Gainesville's swampy geography is to blame? I still have allergy attacks here in L.A., but they very mild compared to what I experienced in Gainesville.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by gypsystar

I just wanted to see how many Gainesville area residents suffer from terrible allergies. I like the area, but one of the reasons we moved back to L.A. was because my allergies were killing me. The mold spore count is high almost every single day in the area and I literally thought I would end up in the emergency room at times - I was very congested, eyes would swell, the works. Anyone with severe pollen or mold allergies should take this post as a warning - I'm scared to even visit the area now. Do you think that Gainesville's swampy geography is to blame? I still have allergy attacks here in L.A., but they very mild compared to what I experienced in Gainesville.

Yes, anyplace you have a lot of trees and vegetation, you will have allergies. I have allergies myself, in all the places I lived in Florida. However they were much WORSE in Asheville, NC, where we had a vacation place for awhile. The mold and pollen there is incredible - certain times of the year absolutely EVERYTYHING is completely covered.

Sorry to hear about your allergies, sometimes one can really love a place in every way but have it ruined by this. Ironically, one can also move to a place and be cure of things like asthma. My first husband had asthma (from Boston) and it was very bad still in Dade City, but when we moved to Sarasota it completely cleared up (the salt air maybe?)

Good luck with it.

[gypsystar]

Thanks. Yes, I think it was the mold spores that were killing me in FL. The pollen is high here in L.A. but it doesn't seem to affect me as much. Prior to moving to Gainesville, I read a post from someone that had to leave the area due to horrible allergies. I thought it sounded crazy at the time, but now I totally get it! I bet there are less allergins near the coast - I had very mild allergies when we lived in Miami.

[gainesvilled]

My allergies were 10 times worse in Gainesville. Doctors can't even figure out how to treat them.

[KMCrane]

Hello,
I'm writing an article for the Gainesville Sun about allergies in the area. Please let me know if you're willing to be interviewed for this piece.
Thanks,
Kristine Crane

[vwithoff]

I had my first experience of an allergy attack last year, around July and August. One day I got a headache, then a sore throat came on, then I was coughing and sneezing so much that I lost my voice for about 2 weeks. I went to a doctor who confirmed it was allergies but I am holistic minded so was not comfortable with the testing to narrow it down or the treatments recommended. It just hit me again about a week ago. I went to Orlando for barely over 24 hours and got significantly better than as soon as I got out of my car in Gainesville, my symptoms were severe again. I want to know in general if it is pollen or mold but I can't seem to locate a time table like mine when I Google. I love Gainesville, I can't leave!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by vwithoff

I had my first experience of an allergy attack last year, around July and August. One day I got a headache, then a sore throat came on, then I was coughing and sneezing so much that I lost my voice for about 2 weeks. I went to a doctor who confirmed it was allergies but I am holistic minded so was not comfortable with the testing to narrow it down or the treatments recommended. It just hit me again about a week ago. I went to Orlando for barely over 24 hours and got significantly better than as soon as I got out of my car in Gainesville, my symptoms were severe again. I want to know in general if it is pollen or mold but I can't seem to locate a time table like mine when I Google. I love Gainesville, I can't leave!

Go to a regular MD in Allergy and Immunology to get tested for what you're allergic to. In place of shots they now also offer liquid drops (self applied under the tongue) that work to build resistance over several months and in most cases ultimately alleviate the bad reactions you're seeing.