Allergies and Climate
Myth: Moving to southwestern states will cure pollen allergies.
Fact: Moving to southwestern (or desert) states may relieve allergies for a few months. However, new allergies to local plants can develop within a short period of time. Additionally, people (both new residents and others) have transplanted their ornamental plants and grasses from "back home," introducing the same old pollens into a new environment. You can't move away from allergies, except maybe to the moon -- but they have moon dust up there.
Allergic Rhinitis: Grass Pollen
The air is full of flying things. Luckily they're microscopic or you'd have to wear a suit of armor even in your own home. Unless you live in a sanitized glass bubble, it's impossible to completely avoid airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. These identifiable flying objects cause allergic rhinitis, which simply means an inflammation of the nasal membranes. If you've heard of hay fever (and that includes everyone who has turned on a television or radio in the spring or summer, since there are so many commercials for antihistamines), then you know about allergic rhinitis: It's that drippy nose, itchy eyes and throat, and sneezing that's so familiar during pollen season.
While pollen is one of the most common triggers of allergic rhinitis, it is not the only one. Mold spores; dust-mite droppings; cockroach body parts; and animal dander can also prompt an allergic reaction. You can be allergic to only one or to several of these airborne particles.
The next few sections will help you understand the pollens, spores and pets that cause allergic rhinitis.
