Allergies affect more than 50 million Americans yearly, and the most common ones are seasonal ones, also called “hay fever” or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Arizona’s dry climate and desert landscape can make it easy to assume that allergies are not common here. However, contrary to this misconception, Arizona’s year-round growing season makes it a hot spot for pollen and other spring allergies, so people who suffer from seasonal allergies would experience the same symptoms here just as they would anywhere else in the US.
There are other factors as to why are allergies so bad in Arizona, so keep reading below to find out more about the most common ones, and how to treat them.
When is allergy season in Arizona and what are the causes?
The growing cycle in Arizona means that pollen production reaches its peak in March and April. As the weather gets warmer, grass, weeds or trees produce pollen, and allergens can travel quite far due to a lack of rain that would keep allergens out of the air.
Weather is the main cause of Phoenix allergies, as hot, dry conditions are ideal for pollen in the air. Some plants pollinate in different months and could trigger symptoms just about any time of year, even though spring is the worst season if you suffer from seasonal allergies.
Most common allergies and allergens in Arizona
Pollen
Plants produce pollen, and the month of March signals both the beginning of Spring and the coming back of allergy symptoms for many people. Different plants can cause allergic reactions here in Arizona, and the most common ones are rye grass, ragweed, mesquite trees, juniper trees, bermudagrass or mulberry trees.
Mold
Mold can develop in drier climates as well, even though it is more known for cooler climates, with lots of rain. One of the most common molds found in the soils of Arizona can cause Valley fever or Coccidioidomycosis, both very dangerous especially when it rains or the ground is disturbed.
Insects
Insects are responsible for causing allergies in two ways: their venom or the proteins they leave by. The first one is the most common one – bee or wasp stings can lead to Anaphylaxis, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.
Animal Dander
Allergy specialists know that in Arizona, exposure to pet dander causes more asthma or other allergy attacks than exposure to pollen, especially among children. The fur of the animals is not the only cause of allergies, saliva proteins and skin cells are also on the list of factors.
Dust and Pollution
If you have an allergy to dust or its specific composition of it, your immune system might react differently to it depending on the area where you live. Relocating won’t help you escape this type of allergy, unfortunately, and Arizona’s hot climate is also home to dust mites.
Allergy symptoms
Often, allergy symptoms can be confused with cold symptoms, and the most familiar ones are coughing, runny nose, sneezing or itchy, red eyes. If you have been experiencing these for over 10 days, the likeliness of it being caused by allergies is bigger, as the common cold usually eases up in approximately a week.
Other allergy symptoms can be sinusitis – an inflammation of the sinuses, caused by an infection, or eczema- also known as Atopic Dermatitis, a chronic or relapsing inflammatory condition of the skin.
How to treat your allergy symptoms
The most important thing to do if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above is to get tested to see what you are allergic to. A board certified allergist can advise on the appropriate treatment. There are other solutions that can provide relief for your symptoms: Claritin or Zyrtec are a few of the most popular antihistamines taken for hay fever. In case of hay fever, make sure you keep your windows closed as much as possible when you are indoors and change your air filters regularly. We do not recommend taking antihistamines without consent of a licensed phisician. Consult a medical professional before taking any allergy relief tablets.
No matter the symptoms, your best bet would be a specialist’s help so do not hesitate to get checked if you suffer from allergy reactions.
The take home
Arizona ranks among the allergy hot spots in the United States, due to pollen produced by plants blooming at any time of the year. The arid climate, lack of rain, and the Sonoran landscape are all important factors that contribute to bad allergies in Arizona.
If you live in Phoenix, our allergy associates are here to help you deal with allergies. We can assist you with treatments, or testing to keep your allergy reactions in check.
Call us now for more information!
