Asthma

[azriverfan.]

I agree with everyone. Asthma is bad here. See an allergist. Three of my 4 kids had bad asthma and the only thing that got them through it was doing allergy shots.

[KLR87]

Originally Posted by stevek64

I think that potentially can make a big difference on escaping a chunk of the pollution/"brown cloud" inversion layer that happens around here at times. The "brown cloud" generally moves from west to east and settles in the lowest part of the valley/in the east valley. We are about 40 minutes from Phoenix in Goodyear in the Estrella foothills and we miss lots of that brown cloud look/type of air because we are above the inversion of that type of brown air that sinks. In the Northwest part of the valley/the far northwest side of Phoenix where master planned communities exist like Vistancia I think you'll escape much of it also. Same for cities like Buckeye. I've also noticed lots less of it in outskirt cities like Surprise which again is in the northwest corner of the Phoenix metro.

As for asthma, I think what was already said about it all depends is spot on and is an individual thing on what brings on your asthma....is it an allergy to a plant(s)? Pollution? Mold? Both? I can tell you unless you live some where far out in the desert, most of the cities around here have tons of plant variety and some of it drops lots of pollen. For me, the irony is not much pollen bothers me but the one that impacts me the most for just a few weeks in March is a native desert tree, the Mesquite tree which is a nasty pollinator. I read it can throw its pollen as far away as something like 20+ miles. For me it's just a little stuffiness/runny nose, nothing major, but my body reacts to it. But again will any of it impact you or not? You won't know until you experience it all yourself. I think a rental period/at least some stays for a period at different times of the year if it all impacts you or not.

My husband is allergic to everything. There's no one specific thing. That's why it makes it hard to pinpoint :-(

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by KLR87

My husband is allergic to everything. There's no one specific thing. That's why it makes it hard to pinpoint :-(

I'm sorry to hear that. Does that mean he scores positive to everything on the scratch test? I hope you have an allergist you can trust. I've found they vary widely in quality.

I have asthma and never had any problems while visiting the Valley, but we don't live there, though I would like to.

[Vinny536]

Doctors in the northeast LOVE telling asthmatics that the desert would be great for them. They are misinformed.

I'm asthmatic, lived in Wilkes-barre/scranton for the first 25 years. I moved to Phoenix expecting complete relief. Not so much.

The desert has no rain, but still pollen. People also move there and bring their pollen producing favorite plants from all over the world and artificially force them to survive in a climate not meant for them. You won't escape pollen anywhere people are.

For me dust is the worst trigger. Since there is no rain to keep the dust stuck to the ground there is always fine particulate matter in the air. I didn't have a specific uptick in asthma attacks on a routine basis, but I didn't find relief either.

The only time that was worse for me in the desert was when the monsoons came through w/ the dust storms. I would need to modify my life to stay indoors and prevent exertion for a few days after each storm.

Since everyone's allergies and asthma are very specific It's hard to really help you. I can only guess, and my guess would be that if his asthma is controlled in Pa it could also be controlled in Az...

Consider moving to Phoenix because it's a beautiful place to live and a great city. Don't move there expecting it to be a panacea for any illness, mental or physical.

[2spirals]

Well which is worse, Salt Lake City or Phoenix? I can barely breathe here in SLC...

[observer53]

Originally Posted by 2spirals

Well which is worse, Salt Lake City or Phoenix? I can barely breathe here in SLC...

Winter temperature inversions in SLC are the worst I've ever experienced. Never seen one like that here. I would think that year round, you get more pollen, etc. in the Salt Lake Valley than here, too.