Mold and Allergies in the Desert - RV-Dreams Community Forum

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mold and Allergies in the Desert

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are definitely molds and allergies in the dessert. We have friends, Sandra and Gordon and he got very sick last year from something he picked up in Tucson. I'm sure she'll jump in here and enlighten us.

thebearII · RV-Dreams Family Member

Around Quartzite-

There's a condition called Quartzite Crud (not a medical term) that folks get when it's warm and the winds kick up.

It comes with flu like symptoms and respitory problems that linger for months.

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Its sometimes called Valley Fever. Dusty windy days you should not be out biking or 4 wheeling. You don't have to live in the Southwest to get it and people traveling thru can get it. Google it.... its called....Cocidiodes immitis".
southwestjudy

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Judy, I hope I don't have that. Although I started getting symptoms after I went to the Tucson Rodeo. All the dirt that was getting kicked up was flying in our direction. I'm going to wait a few days and see what happens.

Thanks,
Colleen

subra1228 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Colleen,
I found your post fascinating since I started with allergies (second time in my entire life) at the end of February in Phoenix (and we were in Phoenix at the end of January with no troubles), and they have continued as we moved up north to Camp Verde, Sedona, Grand Canyon, and now Bullhead City. Nothing I have tried has worked. I am hoping that as we continue our northwardly route, that they eventually go away, although I’m also a bit concerned that I’m just following the pollen! ashamed

Take care & Happy Travels!
Suzanne

www.campingandtravels.com

dgorila1 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Colleen,

I read a story that in the old days doctors would advise people with respiratory problem to move to the desert (AZ,TZ,NM,etc) because the air was dry and free of most pollens and pollutants. The story went on to state this is not true any more due to the large population growth in these areas. When people move in they want lush, green lawns and foliage like they had in their past homes so this has become the norm for years. The pollen count and pollution has risen dramatically and causes respiratory problem that can be as bad or worse than in other parts of the country. Sounds like it may show merit in your case.

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

Gordon did indeed have Valley Fever and was very sick but it doesn't come and go. Your problem sounds more like allergies for sure.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Other than what Gordon came down with Mold and Allergies are everywhere. I am sure the desert has different varieties but for the most part any section of this country has all that too. Maybe the East Coast does not have anything you are allergic to. Sherri suffers with alergies all year long...different ones with different seasons. I guess if you are allergic to some substances then you will have problems where ever you go. I sure agree if you have those problems you should not walk head long into a dust storm.

Joe and Sherri

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well I think I found the source of the problem today. There is a cottonwood tree (identified by my neighbor) near the back corner of our RV. I never really paid much attention to it before, but there are all these fuzzy things all over the top of the slide out and near the rear of the RV.

Today I decided to get out of the RV for awhile – went to the shooting range in the morning and to the pool in the afternoon. All that time I felt fine (except the nasally voice that has been with me since Tuesday) - no coughing, no runny nose. When I got back to the RV I was chatting with our neighbor underneath that tree and I started in again with the coughing and runny nose. It has to be that tree.

Suzanne, we will be heading north in a few days. I think after visiting a few places in AZ we’re going to head over to the California coast. Maybe the ocean breeze will help (as long as we stay out of the smog in L.A.). I have tried Claritan. It seems to dry me up a bit, but I can’t get rid of the dry cough. It is very annoying. I might try some type of nasal irrigation, but I’m not too excited about that.

Speedy – excellent advice – “you should not walk head long into a dust storm”.

Thanks all! I’ll end now as my response is getting a little long (killing time trying to give my hubby time to sleep without me hacking in his ear).

-Colleen

Floridariz · RV-Dreams Family Member

My husband struggles with allergies now and then and this year has been the WORST. He is taking Claritin D and it is working great. It takes a few days to start working but then you are "covered" as long as you take it daily. He just uses it in spring. I am so glad he isn't sneezing and hacking anymore! Makes us all miserable

Paula in the mts

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hello Everyone with allergies!

Thanks be to God I do not.

We are in Howard and Linda's beloved Louisville this week and went to a neat store yesterday afternoon called "Nuts and Stuff". They sold every type of nuts and legumes, and other natural edibles.

In the Spring, those with allergies purchase "locally obtained" honey. Somehow, the honey made from local flowers seems to negate the allergies caused by the pollen from the local plants. I have never heard of this, as I am not affected with allergies, but I thought it quite interesting that somehow the "Local Honey" had an antiodotal effect for local allergies.

Anyone else familiar with this concept?

Charles

Dixie · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes I have heard of taking local honey for allergies. I believe you need to take it regularly for it to work. We live in Atlanta and it has to be the pollen capital of the world. We are preparing for our yearly pine pollen attack, everything outside turns green dust for 3 weeks.

Maybe it would be best to eat pine cones here wink

Be glad when we can move outta here!!

Mel

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dixie wrote:

Yes I have heard of taking local honey for allergies. I believe you need to take it regularly for it to work. We live in Atlanta and it has to be the pollen capital of the world. We are preparing for our yearly pine pollen attack, everything outside turns green dust for 3 weeks.
Maybe it would be best to eat pine cones here
Be glad when we can move outta here!!
Mel

The pine pollen attack has already begun here (Columbus, GA). This yellow-green stuff is unbelievable. It gets everywhere. Just as the temps start to warm up, tempting you to open windows etc. you don't dare. If you leave a car parked outside you almost have to hose it off every morning so you can see out the windows.... RV,RV, RV.... had to include that to make this post relevant...

pierreandcolleen · RV-Dreams Family Member

My mother-in-law recommended honey but I didn't know why - now it makes sense. Cough syrup doesn't touch this cough. Finally by 4 in the morning I did the nasal irrigation (gross) and I took my hubbies suggestion - 2 shots of tequila (yuck). Anyway, it did the trick. I got about 6 hours of peaceful cough-free sleep.

-Colleen

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

I agree about the honey. ....Honey that is from a certain area (say harvested in Montana) will have the natural enzymes from the pollen from that area. Hence by eating honey from a certain area you can build up a natural immunity to allergies. Making symptoms less or not at all. So before I head out to any state I will order some honey and start eating it. Honey also help sooth a sore throat. Honey is amazing and has multiple uses! I have read that red wine does has the same effect as honey. So honey and red wine are good for you.

Scubabeck · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey fellow RV'ers

I did a quick google search and found this article in case your interested about Cocidiodes immitis. The article was informative

http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/jan2002.html

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I lived at Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista Arizona area for 6 years. While same thing happened when the Desert blooms, if you have ever not had allergies some will begin to have allergies. But on the other hand those who have allergies will in some cases not have allergies. But I don't believe there are more positives than negatives for living in the Desert areas.