Book an Appointment

All Posts tagged dangerous allergies

What are the Most Common Desert Allergens in Arizona?

What are the Most Common Desert Allergens in Arizona?


Updated June 2019


So what are allergies?


So does moving to Phoenix help alleviate allergies?




Before moving house, speak with your doctor or allergist about your specific allergies and treatments, and you should also ask for a referral to a well-known allergist in the area you are relocating to so you can continue with your existing allergy shots and treatments you might be undergoing.


1. Dust and Pollution Allergies


2. Mold Allergies

Many people believe molds are only a problem in cooler climates with lots of rain, but they can also exist in dry climates as well. One dangerous example of this is the mold that causes valley fever, or coccidioidomycosis; it’s a mold commonly found in the soils of Arizona, California, and other parts of the southwest that can lie dormant in dry weather and be kicked up when it rains or when the ground is otherwise disturbed. Valley fever aside, a lot of molds exist in desert soil and flourish during the rainy season.

3. Animal Dander


4. Pollen

Wherever there are plants, there will likely be pollen. Pollen is how plants and trees reproduce, it’s why they release so much of it during the spring and summer months.

September officially starts the allergy season here in Phoenix but this year has not been kind to allergy sufferers.   If you have been visiting or living here throughout the last few months, and you suffer from allergies, you likely have felt miserable!   Due to the rain and warmer winter, the plants have been in full bloom earlier and longer which is causing tons of pollen!

And if you have not suffered before from allergies but this year, noticed itchy eyes, filled sinuses, sinus headaches, wheezing… you should consider getting a PCP referral to a board-certified allergist in order to get comprehensive allergy testing which tests for our native desert plants as well as other allergens.

As we stated above, when you relocate to new places, all the sudden you may experience allergies!   As examples, if you move from Arizona due to a ragweed allergy, for example, you might find yourself eventually becoming allergic to the pollen released by grass in your new location. Or you already have an allergy to tree pollens, moved to the desert, but now might get an allergy to ragweed or to the trees in your new Phoenix home as you grow more acclimated to our environment.

5. Insects


Most people think of dust mite allergies, but you can also develop sensitivities to kissing bugs, cockroaches, mosquitoes, fleas, and other insects. Some insects can also contribute to you developing allergies to unrelated things. For example, if you are bitten by a lone star tick, you risk developing an allergy to meat due to a protein that can be transmitted via the tick’s saliva.

Arizona Allergies Q&A

1) Are there allergies in Arizona?

Unfortunately, allergies are an unpleasant reality regardless of where you live. In recent years, there’s a significant increase in the number of sufferers across the country, and Arizona is no exception.  We have experienced many days this spring with a high pollen count which has made this spring one of the worst for allergy sufferers.

2) But, can you really have allergies in the desert?

The hot, dry climate of the desert may not be helpful to allergens that benefit from a more humid environment. However, other allergenic substances, such as pollen and insect venom, are definitely present in the drier regions of the country.

3) What causes allergies in Arizona?

Apart from the allergens mentioned above, allergies in Arizona are often caused by various types of pollen found in trees indigenous to the area. Ash, elm mulberry, sycamore, mesquite, as well as cottonwood and juniper, are frequently responsible for the increased pollen counts that give so much trouble to hay fever sufferers. Other highly allergenic plants include the very common bermuda grass, and various species of weed, such as the giant ragweed.

4) Does Arizona have an allergy season?

While spring is often thought as the worse time of the year for people with allergies, the fall allergy season in Arizona can also be quite troublesome. The increase in rainfall encourages the growth of several native species of grass and weeds. What’s more, plants produce pollen throughout the year and the blooming season for the state’s most common species varies considerably. For instance, junipers bloom in January while ash and cottonwood do so from January to February.

5) How can I reduce my pollen exposure?

On days with high pollen counts, try to stay indoors as much as possible. Keep your windows shut and use the air conditioning. If you have to do any gardening or yard work, consider wearing a mask. If you take any allergy medication, do so before you venture outside. It will prevent the onset of your symptoms, or, at least, reduce them significantly. As soon as you get home, shower and change your clothes. This will keep a great deal of pollen out of your house.


Further Reading

Desert Plants Causing Havoc for Arizona Allergy Sufferers“., Adult and Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C., 13 Feb. 2019,

High Desert Asthma and Allergies-Advice from Asthma Specialists“., Adult and Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C., 21 Nov. 2016,

5 Tips for Preventing Hay Fever in Arizona“., Adult and Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C., 15 Nov. 2018,