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Are Allergies Bad In Arizona

How Can Pollen Be Combatted

Arizona’s windy weather making allergies worse

Its helpful to know what specifically youre allergic to in order to know what to avoid. Allergy testing is an important first step in preventing and treating allergy symptoms.

In the meantime, there are certain measures you can take to limit pollen in your home in order to reduce symptoms.

  • Limit outdoor exposure during times when pollen counts are high. Pollen.com is a great resource for finding out what the pollen levels are in your area.
  • Install a quality air filter, such as a HEPA filter, in your home.
  • Clean your home thoroughly, taking extra care to dust, vacuum carpet and wash bedding in hot water.
  • After spending time outside, take a shower and change your clothes right away.
  • Start taking a daily OTC antihistamine right away, even if you dont yet have symptoms.

For more information about allergy solutions or to schedule an appointment, call Arizona Desert ENT Specialists today.

Finding Relief From Your Desert Allergies

Of course, it isn’t enough to list everything that can cause allergic reactions. The list above is in no way exhaustive. Medical journals exist for such lists.

What can you do about these pollens that make you feel awful and limit your outdoor activities?

  • Protect your HomeAs much as possible, try to keep dust out of your house. For the inside of your home, get a good quality air purifier. When emptying the dust, do so outside.When arriving home from work or a day out, change and shower. This keeps pollens and dust youve picked up while out from getting everywhere in your home.Another way to collect dust involves cheesecloth. Put cheesecloth over the vents in your house to trap dust and pollens. Fold it over several times, because the holes in cheesecloth are very large, so several layers are required for this to be effective in catching allergens. Cheesecloth is inexpensive and can be removed, cleaned, and reused.In your yard, try to alter your landscaping to better manage your allergies. If a certain species of grass bothers you, plant a different grass. Also, look into landscaping designs that use fewer plants. The same goes for trees, get rid of the ones which aggravate your allergies most.

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Why Are My Allergies So Bad Right Now 2021

Like taxes, allergy season is one of those things you just cant avoid. In fact, due to climate change, it may be getting worse. Warmer temperatures lead to more pollen production, so 2021 may be the most intense allergy season yet. And due to COVID-19 quarantine, children may especially have a rough year.

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How Does The Dry Weather Affect Allergy Symptoms In Phoenix

Dry and breezy climates can be the perfect conditions for spreading pollen â and it can spread for miles. Rain can wash allergens out of the air and tamp down anything flying around, but typically that relief is short lived. Once the rain seeps down into the earth, vegetation will start to grow and repeat the process all over again.

Common Weed And Shrub Allergies In Phoenix

Outdoor Allergens in Arizona: Sinus &  Allergy Wellness ...

Careless Weed â A flowering plant that is often mistaken for pigweed, careless weed is not native to Arizona, but can be found along the sides of roads and covering open fields. Careless weed pollinates May through November, with the peak season being August and September.

Ragweed â A perennial weed, ragweed is arguably the most common allergen that is known to have two peak seasons, one in the spring and one in the fall.

Russian Thistle is a type of tumbleweed that many are sensitive to in the Phoenix region. Contact with Russian thistle can lead to skin rashes and other more typical allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and runny nose. Russian thistle pollinates May through November, with the peak season being September and October.

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Knowing Your Arizonan Allergens

If you have a genetic disposition to asthma but have not been diagnosed with the illness, there are a few things you can do to help be aware of what triggers it. One of the best things you can do is to know what allergens affect you. Our clinics can help you learn about your allergies through prick testing. This method of testing is conducted on the skin and includes all of the most common types of allergens:

  • Animal dander
  • Pollens
  • Molds

There may not be as many molds in Phoenix as somewhere like in the Midwest, but the desert is not mold free. Alternaria is a mold that is located nearly everywhere across North America. Perhaps the biggest problem is that there are numerous strains, and you may be allergic to one type but not another. The good news is that our doctors have the advanced knowledge and medications will be able to test and treat for the strains that are likely to grow in our desert area.

Windy Weather Creating Allergy Problems For Arizonans

The pollen count is highest at night and in the early morning hours and the winds make it worse.

PHOENIX – Valley doctors are seeing more patients complaining of allergy symptoms in recent weeks. It turns out our windy weather might be to blame.

“Wind is an allergy sufferer’s downfall. The plants that we are allergic to are wind pollinators, so they are plants that just hang their pollen out there for the wind to blow around,” said Dr. Michael Manning, the president of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates.

“Over the last month, the pollen count has really increased, and with the recent winds, the pollen particles are microscopic, so they can blow up to 400 miles on a windy day,” said Dr. Duane Wong, an allergy & immunology specialist at Arizona Allergy Associates.

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself.

“The pollen count is highest at night and in the early morning hours. In fact, they start to go up at 5 p.m. They stay elevated all night and drop down at about 10 o’clock, so one of the worst things you can do is leave your windows open at night,” said Dr. Wong.

“Wind is an allergy sufferer’s downfall,” said Dr. Michael Manning.

If you are outside at night, doctors recommend showering when you get home to get all those pollen particles off you. You can try over-the-counter medications, but if you are still having issues, see a doctor. Sometimes allergies can cause more serious issues for people suffering.

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Cycling Through Pollen Cycles

Many Arizonans have questioned whether masks help improve seasonal allergy symptoms.

Carroll said wearing an N95-type mask with a tight seal around the face would ideally help.

But if windows are opened at home at all during spring, Carroll said the pollens get inside, causing problems.

Also, after about two to five cycles of pollen, your body can once again start to develop an allergic reaction.

If your allergies are just annoying sneezing and dry eyes, the symptoms can usually be treated with HEPA filters, masking, closing windows and letting air conditioners run to keep the air clean, he added.

The pesky allergies can bring up extra questions during a pandemic, causing some to wonder whether it’s COVID, a cold, the flu or something else.

Carroll explained allergy symptoms are more like itchy eyes, nose, throat and skin, with sneezing and congestion.

“COVID is going to be different, COVID is going to be more discomfort, pain, you’re going to have a fever,” he said.

Controlling Mold In The Home

Arizonans face tough allergy season during COVID-19 pandemic

First, reduce indoor humidity as much as possible. Start in your basement, where leaky pipes or groundwater seepage can introduce moisture into the air and jumpstart mold growth. If humidity there is above 50%, consider using a dehumidifier to draw moisture out of the air.

Use an air conditioner to cool your living spaces, and change the filter often. Keep your bathrooms dry and well-ventilated. Use circulation fans and open windows after you take showers, and try not to carpet these rooms, since carpet can retain moisture and become a breeding ground for mold.

Discard old books and newspapers, since if they become damp they can encourage mold growth.

But those are the factors you have control over. There are many other external factors that you canât control, and if your mold allergies become too severe, you might want to consider relocating to a place thatâs easier on your allergies.

Based on the factors we outlined above, as well as many others, we can start to figure out which cities are the worst for mold allergies and which cities might offer the most relief. Letâs look at our picks for the five best places to live if you have mold allergies.

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Arizona Is In In The Top 15 Of States For Asthma

A report released by the University of Arizona identified Arizona as being in the top 15 states where asthma has been reported and almost 10% of Arizona adults have been told that they may have asthma.A large reason why the state is in the top 15, ,is because so many people moved to the desert hoping to avoid developing asthma.

This meant that people and their children who were more likely to develop asthma moved to the desert because they likely thought our desert climate would be better prevention for asthma and allergies than it is! Unfortunately, there are just as many allergens in AZ, so people were lulled into a false sense of security.

How To Alleviate Your Allergy Symptoms

Leeds recommended wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes and nose. A solid rinse can also work wonders after spending time outside.

Wash your hands and face after being outdoors for long periods of time, and consider changing your clothes, she said.

If you are particularly sensitive, limit your time outdoors on poor air-quality days. Consider washing your eyes and nose with a saline solution. You might also want to swap out your contact lenses for eyeglasses, as pollen can cling onto lenses and irritate the eye. Cleaning your lenses more frequently and opting for daily disposable contacts can also help relieve itchy, watery eyes.

Pollen can get trapped inside your home, so keep your windows shut and car doors closed. Vacuum often to get rid of allergens trapped in your carpet. If you have AC, set it to nonrecirculated air.

AAFA also recommends using a HEPA air filter to purify the air in your house. And pets can be pollen magnets, so giving them a good rub down is a good idea after a springtime walk, Gupta said.

You might also want to hold onto your face mask a bit longer. The masks we use to protect ourselves against the coronavirus act as a barrier against pollen, too. The better the mask, the better the protection.

N95 masks are ideal for this, but standard masks most people are using to protect one another from COVID-19 also work, Mendez said.

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Keep Sniffles And Itchy Eyes At Bay With These Options

Daniel More, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, FACP, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine.

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts, and articles are reviewed by healthcare professionals for medical accuracy. Youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

From pets to pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, its often difficult to avoid the stuff youre allergic to. Who can resist an adorable puppy or a lovely stroll in the park? To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you need a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Even though there are dozens of options available to treat allergies, the various options can be overwhelming. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but theyre not all the samesome may induce drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. Take into consideration your individual symptoms, which may be treated best by specific ingredients or forms, from liquid and sprays to tablets.

Whether youre looking for natural ingredients or a non-drowsy pill that will keep you going throughout the day, these are the best OTC allergy medicines.

What City Has The Most Awful Allergies In The United States

Gain Control Over Your Allergies in Arizona

1- Jackson, Mississippi Jackson in Mississippi needs to be the most awful city in America for allergic reaction victims. With the city constantly ranking very for allergic reaction victims. Why they are attempting as a city to regulate their allergic reaction victims, they are still one location where allergic reaction prices are exceptionally high.

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Treating Season Allergies At Sauc

When your seasonal allergies get the better of you, visit SAUC. With locations throughout Tucson and Oro Valley, our convenient urgent care hours are 7am to 7pm every day. At Southern Arizona Urgent Care, we perform allergy testing on site. Well provide you with a quality treatment plan to help you feel better about the first day of spring and every day after.

Face the world through eyes that dont itch when you trust Southern Arizona Urgent Care to treat your season allergies today.

Everything You Need To Know About Allergies In Phoenix

Allergies bothering you in Phoenix? Itâs a common misconception that allergies donât exist in Arizona because of the dry heat and desert landscape, but thatâs far from true. There are several aspects that make Arizona an allergy hot spot, and weâve compiled some tips to keep you prepared.

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Worst States For Allergies

Get ready to discover the top worst states for seasonal allergies. I compiled the data from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America top allergy capitals article. From this article, I created averages to come up with these 35 states with the worst allergies in the U.S.

The AAFAs report was compiled by considering the following:

  • Spring and Fall Seasonal Allergy Scores
  • Over-the-counter allergy medications

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When Is Allergy Season In Phoenix

VIDEO: High winds in Phoenix area making allergies miserable

Pollen, dust, and pollution can be found in the Valley any time of the year, but we don’t want it to ruin your day. Knowing what you may be allergic to can help you better manage them.

In Arizona, allergy symptoms are the most problematic in the spring, when trees, plants, weeds and grass come back to life after the winter. At one-point allergists used to recommend that their patients move to the desert to escape allergy symptoms, but with many non-native trees and plants being introduced to the desert landscape, that recommendation is occurring less and less.

Allergies in Phoenix and surrounding areas also tend to have another peak in the late summer months of August and September when certain weeds and shrubs are thriving.

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Desert Plants Causing Havoc For Arizona Allergy Suffers

While many people move to a desert area to find relief from their allergies, a desert environment might actually trigger allergies. In fact, at least a third of those who live in the Phoenix area experience some level of what is commonly known as hay fever. Hay fever means your body is reacting to pollens or mold of some type, and these reactions can take the form of sneezing, watery eyes and nose, congestion or itchiness.

Ragweed is one of the most common allergy-inducing plants across the United States and Phoenix has over a dozen native species of ragweed.

Ragweed is a perennial weed ! Contact with the ragweed pollen can lead to coughing, wheezing, swollen eyelids, itchy eyes, itchy throat and ears, sneezing, hives and other rashes.

What Causes Spring Allergies In Tucson

Tucson is gorgeous in the spring. But for many, that beauty is overshadowed by allergy season. Seasonal allergies are triggered by your bodys own immune system when it overreacts to things that are normally harmless, such as pollen. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, avoid planting or being around a few of the most significant flora offenders. Weve listed them below.

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Is The Desert Much Better For Allergies

Does Desert Climate Quit Seasonal Allergies? This is mainly a misconception, with an aspect of fact to it. It made use of to be rather typical recommendations for allergy-sufferers to transfer to the desert. With their warm, completely dry environments, deserts are devoid of a great deal of the normal suspects that create seasonal allergies like ragweed as well as turf.

Five Places To Escape Seasonal Allergies

Pollen Explosion in Prescott
  • Story Highlights
  • Taking a trip and escaping known irritants can do a seasonal allergy-sufferer good
  • Spring skiing is a great option, because where snow falls pollen doesn’t
  • Shipping out on a cruise, seaside breezes and the desert can serve as escapes
  • There are no guarantees, though, which means one should always be prepared

— It’s about the time of year when many of those with seasonal allergies are starting to grumble.

When snow falls, pollen doesn’t — making ski resorts like Snowbird a great destination for those with allergies.

Armed with tissues, medications and sinus rinses, they may curl up on the couch — when not suffering through the workday — simply riding it out until the season passes.

But because the immune system is attuned to, for example, the pollen from local trees and grasses that it knows, switching one’s environment can sometimes be a great source of relief, allergists said.

How’s that for an excuse to take a vacation? See map of nation’s worst allergy cities »

“You have to get away from where you are now,” said Neil Kao, an allergist in Greenville, South Carolina. “The farther away you go, the better off you’ll be.”

This doesn’t mean, of course, that you can jet off without worry. Packing your medications, bringing a special pillow if you have one, requesting an “allergy-proof” and nonsmoking room are just some ways you can boost the chances that allergies won’t spoil your travels.

Hit the slopes

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