Arizona's desert landscape and its dry, hot climate make it difficult to believe the state is an inviting home for allergies.
Yet, the state has one of the highest pollen counts in the country during the fall, triggering allergy symptoms in many Arizonans as soon as temperatures start to drop.
Here's everything you need to know about allergies in Arizona and how to stay safe.
Why are allergies so bad in metro Phoenix?
According to the Arizona Allergy Associates, an association of health care providers, Arizona has been misconceived for years as an allergy haven when in fact it is quite the opposite. The reason, oddly, lies in the state's year-round warm weather:
- Warm and dry air retains dust mites and pollen longer.
- Breezy conditions in the spring and fall spread plant pollen.
- The lack of rain also helps keep allergens in the air.
- Looking at the desert, you may think that there aren't many pollen plants in the landscape. However, the fact that it never gets too cold in metro Phoenix also allows for the area's year-round growing season, which keeps pollen and allergens lingering around all year as well.
What are allergy symptoms?
Allergies can cause some serious discomfort and health problems. Often, allergy symptoms can be confused with cold symptoms. If you have allergies, here are some of the most common symptoms you may experience:
- Sneezing
- Congested or runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
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When is allergy season in Arizona?
Allergy season in the metro Phoenix typically occurs both in the spring and fall.
It can start as early as January and last until late November,depending on which airborne pollen your body reacts to.According to IQAir, an air quality technology company that provides real-time air quality information by area, there is always something in the metro Phoenix air that can trigger allergies, but some seasons can be worse than others depending on the type of pollen and the weather conditions.
What are the worst months for allergies in Phoenix?
February to June are typically the worst months for allergy sufferers as the spring brings high pollen counts as well as windy conditions that aggravate symptoms. Heavily pollinating trees including ash, mesquite, mulberry, cottonwood, oak and olive, are the most common allergens in the spring.
The state usually sees another surge in pollination in the fall, from September through late November. The most problematic allergen during this season is ragweed, but Russian thistle and grass allergens are also present.
Summertends to be less severe, with some grass and weed allergens remaining from the springtime. However, winter is the safest season overall for allergies in Arizona.
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Which are the worst cities for allergies?
According to the Arizona Allergy Associates, Arizona ranks among the allergy hot spots in the United States, due to pollen produced by plants blooming at any time of the year.
However, in a ranking by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America of the worst metro areas for seasonal allergies, the Tucson and Phoenix metro areas occupied average spots.
The ranking, contained in the foundation's annual Allergy Capitals Report, evaluated the top 100 U.S. cities according to their pollen scores, medicine use, and availability of allergy specialists. Phoenix ranked 60th while Tucson placed 40th in the list.
Arizona typically becomes a hotter spot for allergies than other parts of the country in the fall. According to pollen.com, a website that tracks pollen counts, 84% of the country was in low status as of Wednesday. Most of Arizona, however, was in the top 16% of areas that showed higher pollen levels.
For year-round statistics, these were the cities that the foundation's study found to be the mostchallenging places to live with seasonal allergies:
- Wichita, Kansas.
- Dallas.
- Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Sarasota, Florida.
- Cape Coral, Florida.
- Orlando, Florida.
- Des Moines, Iowa.
- Greenville, South Carolina.
How can I check pollen counts?
You can check pollen counts in Arizona and metro Phoenix on IQAir at www.iqair.com/us/pollen/usa/arizona/phoenix or on Pollen.com at www.pollen.com/map/az.
How can I take care of my allergies?
Dr. Franklyn Gergits, a physician with Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center of north Scottsdale, the key is in preparing for allergy season.
Gergits said that if a patient notices that there are different times of the year when they get sick, they can keep track of what months they start experiencing symptoms and start taking some over-the-counter antihistamines once a day about a month before their symptoms start.
"That way, by the time the pollen is airborne, they're already going to have antihistamines in their system that are going to prevent them from becoming reactive," Gergits said.
Other helpful practices that Gergits shared are:
- Keeping windows and doors closed.
- Using air purifiers and HEPA filters to reduce indoor allergens.
- Washing bedding and clothing regularly.
- Checking the pollen count regularly and planning your outdoor activities in response.
- Wash ingyour nose if you were outdoors for a long time on a high pollen count day or if you start to feel pollen and dust build up.
If you are already experiencing allergies, here are some things that can help your symptoms:
- Get tested to see what you are allergic to. A board-certified allergist can advise on the appropriate treatment.
- Take over-the-counter antihistamines, which can help reduce sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.Some examples are Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra.
- Use nasal corticosteroids. Flonase and Nasacort, for example, can help reduce any inflammation in your nasal passages and improve your breathing.
- Take decongestants, which can help relieve your congestion and improve your breathing.
- Eye dropshelp with itchy eyes by clearing your eyes of pollen.
- Making some natural remedies at home with honey, probiotics and fruits rich in vitamin C may also help reduce your allergy symptoms. These remedies can help alleviate symptoms, improve your gut health and have anti-inflammation properties.
- Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can help desensitize your immune system to allergens and reduce symptoms over time.
- Consult a specialist. They can help you figure out how to best treat your allergy reactions, especially if over-the-counter options do not work for you.
