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We are thinking of retiring in WNC, probably at a higher-elevation area like Boone, Blowing Rock, Waynesville, etc.
I have been watching the pollen count there on pollen.com for the last few days, and have a few questions:
1.WHEN is the bad allergy season in WNC, and how LONG does it last?
2.Is there a difference from Asheville than the higher elevations?
3.How bad would you compare WNC to other states/areas?
Thanks for your help!
I can tell you this, NC is in the top 3 for worst spring allergies in the nation.
Pollen descends in early April and can last thru May.
However, I personally believe the higher elevation DOES help. Once you get above 3000 feet things seem to be much better and you just don't see as much of the yellow powder everywhere.
Okay, well two months in Spring is not so long to deal with allergies. Maybe because it rains/drizzles so much there in summer it may help keep down the pollen. Sadly, you can't really tell until you move somewhere what is going to affect you allergy-wise. I had a really hard time in Connecticut, but only suffer from Juniper here in the Southwest Rockies. Thanks for your info.
Allergies are something that is subjective. People develop them as they age and based on where they live and what they are used to.
That being said, NC has some of the worst allergies in the national. I've had horrible allergies for the first time this year. It started in mid- feb and is still going. Both my parents have had them for a while and my mom in particular is miserable in the spring.
I guess elevation theoretically can make a slight difference because different elevations can make things bloom at different times so not everything is blooming at once. But I wouldn't bet on it. and if allergies are a make or break thing, you need to visit in early April first.
Saucystargazer,
Sorry you've had such a bad allergy year, but it sounds like this was the first year you've suffered from them---did you just recently move to WNC and got the allergies, or have you lived there a while and not been bothered until this year?
WNC native who had to move to greenville sc in march because I could never find a "real" job in Asheville. But I've been up there constantly with relatives and thinking about this now, my grandfather mentioned having horrible allergies too this year. Again, you need to visit if its a make or break thing. And even then, I've heard stories from tons of people moving here and then developing allergies.
For example, I went to Colorado last September and was sneezing my brains out (along with my mom). first time to ever experience allergies. Have no idea what it was either.
Thinking about it more, I think i had a slight touch of allergies last spring from march to mayish, but it was just an occasional sneeze. itchy eyes, and runny nose when outside for long periods of time. Nothing major. This year though, I got a sinus infection in early march. Mainly becaue I had "real" allergies bothering me since mid-feb. and didn't actually know it was allergies, just thought it was a prolonged cold. Also, I'm only in my mid-twenties, the age at which people start to really feel the effects of allergies (or so my doctor says).
It really depends on what you are allergic to - what types of pollen are you looking at?
The mountains tend to be more breezy than the piedmont (central NC), which does spread the pollen but it sure seems to make the blooming season go by faster than it does in the piedmont of NC.
There are mixes of hardwoods and pines in the mountains -- so if there is something you are specifically allergic to, you might want to check for that particular pollen. I have found that the growing season is definitely extended here in NC compared with the Northeast. Again, this will depend on your elevation and when last frost/first frost set in.
If you are like my DS and allergic to all trees, weeds, molds and grasses -- then you might consider an allergy medicine from March-May and then again in the fall when the leaf molds kick in. The march might slide to april if there is a 'late' spring.
Your post was really helpful.
I am not sure what I am allergic too, but I think you can have a blood test that tells you. May be best to just accept taking allergy meds for many months of the year.
It really depends on what you're allergic to. I grew up in Upstate New York and my allergies bothered me year round up there. Last year I relocated to South Carolina and haven't needed an allergy pill since I moved! I was on the verge of needing weekly shots up in NY. I have vacationed in the NC mountains and had no problems. I spend much of the spring visiting family in Winston-Salem and never needed my pills. Different trees, grasses, molds, mildews, etc. I love being allergy free now! Except I am beginning to think I've become allergic to my cats. I have always had a cat since I was a toddler....why now? UGH!
ALL you need is Xlear, I am going to Asheville, soon, and will take some with me! (old Asheville Native)
hugs!
Dottie B.
JESUS SAVES!!!
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