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Move to Arizona or Florida?

Dear Dr. Kagen,

I'm an 18-year-old young man and I'm planning to move to either Florida or Arizona, and I have strong allergies towards ragweed and grasses. I'd like to know whether there is any of these pollens in these states, if so, what concentration and what time of the year.

Thank you in advance for your response.

Sincerely,
Gabor N.

Thanks for asking Gabor.

Florida has a short ragweed season beginning in July and lasting through October. It is nothing like the northern states experience however. The weed season in Arizona is in the spring time, and the offending weed is rabbit bush which cross reacts with ragweed.

Grass pollen is abundant in Florida [Bahia, Bermuda] all times of the year, but it is a different sort of pollen than Red Top or Timothy grasses which are dominant in the remainder of the USA. Grass pollen is present in most regions of civilized Arizona as well in many times of the year from February through October.

I hope this info assists you. Remember that you will be taking your immune system with you when you move, so allergy can develop after you live in your new home region within several years.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com