It's entirely possible, and probably common, that what you were allergic to where you came from is different than what you are allergic to in Phoenix. That's because there are pollen producing plants all over the country, but different regions have different plants.
Allergic Reactions to Pollen
What I can tell you is that about 35% of the people who live in the Phoenix area experience some degree of Allergic Rhinitis, more commonly referred to as hay fever. If you have hay fever, it means that your body is reacting to pollen or mold by releasing histamines and other chemicals that cause sneezing, fluid in the eyes and nose, congestion and itchiness.Generally, pollen from plants with brightly colored flowers usually does not trigger allergies. The birds and the bees take care of those. More pollen problems arise with trees, grasses and weeds. Our growing season here is all year, so allergies never seem to stop.
I have heard comments, and seen comments in print, declaring that the introduction of non-native plants into the area by the quickly growing population is to blame for our allergies. Yes, there are non-native culprit plants, but native plants cause allergies, too. Ragweed is one of the most common allergy-causing plants in the United States and Greater Phoenix has over a dozen native species of ragweed.
20 Trees to Avoid If You Have Hay Fever
If you are buying a home in the Phoenix area, you might want to avoid planting the following trees if allergies are a concern. Likewise, if you are an apartment dweller, it may be important to find out what those trees are outside your balcony before you sign a lease and find out they are olive trees!- African Sumac
- Arizona Ash
- Arizona Cypress
- Arizona Sycamore
- Canary Island Date Palm
- Chinese Elm
- Cottonwood
- Desert Broom
- Desert Fan Palm
- Feather Palm
- Hackberry
- Juniper
- Mesquite
- Mexican Fan Palm
- Mulberry
- Oak
- Olive tree
- Palo Verde
- Pecan
- Pepper Tree
Page 1: Intro to Allergies in Phoenix
Page 2: Pollen in Phoenix
Page 3: Dust in Phoenix
Page 4: Pollution in Phoenix
Note: None of the information here is intended to be medical advice. The details provided here are general, and factors relating to pollen, dust and pollution will affect each person differently. Consult a doctor to diagnose and treat any medical condition.
