Allergies, in AZ (Phoenix: house, live, mold)

[Outdoor Nut]

My fall allergies are in full force today. Anyone from the midwest move to AZ and find relief in terms of allergies and has the move been worth it just for this reason alone?

[PhinsFan1]

I've not met one person in the 9 years I've lived here who's told me that their allergies have improved since moving here. In fact, people have either developed allergies or had their allergies worsen. I'm sure someone will pipe in with opposite experiences. But that's been mine. My allergies have been terrible the past few days too. Not fun.

I think you need to treat your allergies here as you do anywhere else - take your meds if you have some, drink lots of water, and absolutely stay indoors during dust storms and when the air quality is bad.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by PhinsFan1

I've not met one person in the 9 years I've lived here who's told me that their allergies have improved since moving here. In fact, people have either developed allergies or had their allergies worsen. I'm sure someone will pipe in with opposite experiences. But that's been mine. My allergies have been terrible the past few days too. Not fun.

I think you need to treat your allergies here as you do anywhere else - take your meds if you have some, drink lots of water, and absolutely stay indoors during dust storms and when the air quality is bad.

Well now you know one because my allergies have improved since moving here. And I know several people whose allergies have improved particularly if they are allergic to mold and certain grass and trees which are much more prevalent in other areas.

I would recommend seeing an allergist and consider shots if your allergies are that bad. If you are taking over the counter meds and they aren't improving, you should seriously consider seeing an allergist. There is no reason to suffer if you can do something about it. The way shots work is they make an extract from tiny antigens from things you are allergic to. Your body then slowly adapts to those antigens and no longer identifies them as foreign. With allergies, its your immune system going into overdrive and "overreacting" to things it sees as being foreign. The idea behind shots is that over time, your body will no longer see those objects as being foreign and your symptoms will disappear completely or improve. It doesn't work in everyone but it's effective in about 90% of people and the process can be lengthy from 3-5 years. I wanted to explain this because some people thinks allergy shots are medicines like antihistamines or pharmaceuticals and they aren't. It works through the body's own immune system.

[wit-nit]

What you're allergic to in one part of the country you may not be in another. Vegetation, dust/soil, and weather play a big part in allergies. Many people are also allergic to certain foods. Generally you'll end up with a new and different set allergy reactions when you move to a new environment, therefore you should see a local allergist and be tested for your allergies and get the proper remedies for them.

[engineman]

I was better off on the east coast.

[PoppySead]

We have two seasons of bloom here. Fall and Spring. If you have plant allergies or grass you might be in for a bit more but if it's a mold allergy you will probably feel much better. If it's dust, well, lol, obviously not so much.

You have to remember we don't get snow, or cold enough weather for all our plant life to die or hibernate in the winter. So, like others have said, see what it is you are allergic to first. Then decide based on this. They might just be the same.

Those shots sound like a good idea.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by Outdoor Nut

My fall allergies are in full force today. Anyone from the midwest move to AZ and find relief in terms of allergies and has the move been worth it just for this reason alone?

I find relief in AZ all the time (I have a house in the Midwest). I left Phoenix on Tuesday and flew to my house in the Midwest. Now it's Thursday, and I'm *miserable* from allergies, and sitting inside in the A/C, instead of enjoying the day walking on the beach or something. Between the stinking hot, humid summer and nasty allergies in the Midwest, the whole summer has been a bust.

No problems in Phoenix, to speak of. The dust doesn't bother me. I do get very mild seasonal allergies in Arizona, but they are nothing like what I get in the Midwest. Nothing that merits taking any medication. In the Midwest, I have to take medication frequently.

[stephen431]

It's been pretty bad this past week. I've had to switch back from my contacts to glasses.

My primary doc out here was also an allergist, but the guy was in his 80's and basically told me I should just stay indoors whenever the air pollution was bad.
I told him one year "You know more than half of July was pollution advisories, right?". He said, "Yeah, that's why you shouldn't leave the house."
He was better as a general practitioner than as an allergist (just retired though).

[johnnyrotten54]

Last 2 days My azz has been beaten to a pulp by allergies!!

[AZJoeD]

Originally Posted by johnnyrotten54

Last 2 days My azz has been beaten to a pulp by allergies!!

Me too