Allergies in Spokane (Vancouver, Kent: home, scorpions, living in)

[sinkitten]

Hi,

I'm currently in Northern CO which is terrible on my Asthma. The high altitudes coupled with high sage bush is killing me. I lived in NY but the humidity in the summer was terrible, but I breathed better in NY vs. CO. I was originally from the Bay Area of CA. I could breathe swell there compared to NY and CO. I'm looking to be more on the West Coast minus severe altitude and high rents. I read Vancouver/Portland is terrible on allergies, so I was wondering how Spokane is. Any input on allergens/Asthma, and severity would be appreciated!

[Deena160]

I've wondered that, too. I had asked previously about any mold problems. I've been worried about posts that have referenced burning of fields and how that affected the asthma. :~) D

[sinkitten]

Well california is always on fire, lol. They burn the fields in the fall, and in the summer a lot of places catch on fire. It is easier to breathe in CA even with all that vs. Colorado's high altitudes. You just go inside for a few hours and the smell is gone if it bothers you terribly bad. I used to still play outside as a kid at times despite the strong smells. I lived a few years near the central valley of CA in Dixon/Davis as a kid.

[vette-dude]

We actually moved to this location of the state from the west side due to all the allergies, such as mold being first on our list...Have had no serious allergy issues since relocation to Eastern Washington...

[NeedleCrafter]

I hate to say this but my Asthma was worse in Spokane than anywhere else that I have lived. I am very allergic to pine pollen...and we all know that it is the evergreen state. I was pretty much able to keep it under control with meds but at least twice a year I had to go to the hospital for breathing treatments and the epi shots. Hated it. It just really depends on what your allergic to and to what extreme, unfortunately you never know until you've been exposed to it. Other than the Pine Pollen season I was good. Went home to visit almost 2 years ago in November and the air seemed a little heavier than I remember it being. The winter time if you live in what I would call the bowl of Spokane the smoke from all the wood burning just seems to hover over the area sometimes. Wish I could be more help but if you can visit in the spring and in the winter it would maybe help you out a bit. I don't ever remember Spokane having mold problems....it's pretty dry to me, but I am currently living in Florida where humidity is high 90% of the time.

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by NeedleCrafter

I hate to say this but my Asthma was worse in Spokane than anywhere else that I have lived. I am very allergic to pine pollen...and we all know that it is the evergreen state. I was pretty much able to keep it under control with meds but at least twice a year I had to go to the hospital for breathing treatments and the epi shots. Hated it. It just really depends on what your allergic to and to what extreme, unfortunately you never know until you've been exposed to it. Other than the Pine Pollen season I was good. Went home to visit almost 2 years ago in November and the air seemed a little heavier than I remember it being. The winter time if you live in what I would call the bowl of Spokane the smoke from all the wood burning just seems to hover over the area sometimes. Wish I could be more help but if you can visit in the spring and in the winter it would maybe help you out a bit. I don't ever remember Spokane having mold problems....it's pretty dry to me, but I am currently living in Florida where humidity is high 90% of the time.

Yes, obviously if you have allergies to Pine, Spokane should not be on your "short list", pine trees are in abundance...

[Deena160]

Originally Posted by NeedleCrafter

I hate to say this but my Asthma was worse in Spokane than anywhere else that I have lived. I am very allergic to pine pollen...and we all know that it is the evergreen state. I was pretty much able to keep it under control with meds but at least twice a year I had to go to the hospital for breathing treatments and the epi shots. Hated it. It just really depends on what your allergic to and to what extreme, unfortunately you never know until you've been exposed to it. Other than the Pine Pollen season I was good. Went home to visit almost 2 years ago in November and the air seemed a little heavier than I remember it being. The winter time if you live in what I would call the bowl of Spokane the smoke from all the wood burning just seems to hover over the area sometimes. Wish I could be more help but if you can visit in the spring and in the winter it would maybe help you out a bit. I don't ever remember Spokane having mold problems....it's pretty dry to me, but I am currently living in Florida where humidity is high 90% of the time.

Definately depends on what sets you off. Grass season would be my worse, but I'm sure the mold doesn't help. Never had to go to the hospital, but I have my kids nebulizer that I've borrowed on occassion.
What area is considered "the bowl"? :~) D

[NeedleCrafter]

Sorry...for my description or lack of for the bowl...LOL. Spent quite a few years up near St. Thomas Moore and it sits a little lower that the rest of Spokane. In the winter time there were several days when the smoke just seemed to hover for the better part of the day. Pretty views from 5-mile and the south hill though...like a norman rockwell painting but if you have asthma and you live down there some days are a little harder to breath. A specific street would be Excell drive. Unfortunately for me I was only 7 years old when we moved to Spokane and my parents didn't know that the pine pollen allergy in perticular was going to cause havoc on my asthma. We only knew I was allergic to pollen and no specific type. Also, didn't know I was allergic to Scorpions till I was stung by one in Arizona. That's why I say visit if you can because you never know what you are allergic to until you've been exposed. If you are see a doctor on a regular basis that is treating you for your asthma...I would ask them to refer you a site on the net or they may be able to give you the name and number of a doctor in the Spokane area that can discuss the issues that you may have. I really believe that most people that have asthma also have a higher rate of allergies and many that we don't even know about because we haven't been exposed to them yet. For instance you may be told that you have a grass allergy but it hasn't been severe which isn't uncommon but then you move to Kentucky and the grass is different and you find out you arre very allergic to it. Oddly enough my allergy is even specific to Ponderosa Pine Pollen....I have no problem with any other pine trees as of yet. When I first moved to Florida I was terrified when I saw the HUGE pine trees everywhere, but because they are a different type all is well with me and the pine tree world of my area anyway. Also Asthma is just a pain no matter what because it can be so complicated. Most of the time it takes several different allegens to set off an asthma attack. Here are a few articles...I would not base a move on what they say but I would take them into consideration.
Asthma - The Effects of Climate and Altitude - Asthma Symptoms, Relief Therapies, Treatment and Medications on MedicineNet.com

This site you may be able to find some good answers and if not what you are looking for you can post a question...this link is for the asthma & allergy foundation of america
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America - Information About Asthma, Allergies, Food Allergies and More!
Hope this helps with some of your questions. I would say Spokane is not a bad place to live...it just depends on what life style you want or live. I like the smaller towns where everyone knows everyones business. It's annoying at times but I like the other benefits that come with it, but only because they work for me and my lifestyle and I love walking the beach. Still love to go home to visit in the winter for the christmas baking and what not and Spokane will always have a place in my heart.