Facts, Prevention and Relief for Arizona Allergies in 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyArizona has a climate that allows for a growing season all year. This means that there are different types of pollen traveling through the air at any given time. Arizona has a dry and windy climate, which makes it very easy for airborne allergens to travel.
Of course, there are the allergens you find in just about any populated area — dust, mold and pollution, but how do you manage Arizona seasonal allergies? What are the common allergens, and what can you do to relieve them?
Wyndly can help you make a personalized allergy plan for Arizona seasonal allergies.
When Is Arizona Allergy Season?
Arizona allergy season is all year, though which season is relevant to you will depend on what you’re allergic to. You might only experience allergies during one season. If you’re allergic to more than one Arizona airborne pollen, you might be dealing with allergies year round. Let’s take a look at each allergen by season.
Allergens by Season
There are allergens for each season in Arizona. We’ll explore each one.
Summer
Summer allergies in Arizona will primarily consist of grass and weed allergens. Ragweed and Bermudagrass in particular cause many people to be miserable in the summer months.
Fall
Fall sees the continuation of ragweed allergies, as they typically peak around this time. Russian thistle and careless weed make their presence known during this time. Grass also continues to be an issue for many people into early fall.
Winter
Winter usually sees weed and grass allergies taper off. As in most states, winter tends to be the safest season for allergens in Arizona, but that doesn’t mean it is devoid of winter allergens. Juniper trees tend to be the most common contributor to winter allergies for Arizona residents. Some other tree species can also pollinate during the winter months, especially as you transition to spring.
Spring
Spring is the season where tree allergens really take off. Trees that pollinate heavily in the spring months include ash, mesquite, mulberry, cottonwood, oak and olive, and they can make spring a pain for many people. Ragweed often starts its allergy season in spring. Grass allergies also tend to be high in spring. In short, spring is just as bad for allergies in Arizona as it is in most regions.
Common Allergens
As we mentioned, grass, weeds and trees tend to be the most common seasonal allergies. Dust, mold and pollution can be an issue year round and are not unique to Arizona’s climate.
Common Symptoms
Arizona residents tend to experience many of the same symptoms you would expect when you’re experiencing allergies, including:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
Your reactions may vary, but these are the most common seasonal symptoms when it comes to tree, grass and weed allergies.
Allergens Around the State
Although seasonal allergies can run rampant in Arizona, soy is actually the state’s most common allergen. The top plant irritant, however, is ragweed if you’re looking at statewide allergens. Other than ragweed, the most common allergy-inducing plants are tumbleweed, ryegrass, bermudagrass, mesquite trees, mulberry trees, olive trees and juniper trees.
Phoenix/Tucson/Saguaro National Park/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
The Phoenix, Tucson, Saguaro National Park, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument area is hit by many of the aforementioned grass, weed and tree allergens. As always, ragweed is high on the list. Mulberry, ash and mesquite trees are significant contributors. Bermudagrass also tends to cause problems for many.
Flagstaff/Prescott/Grand Canyon National Park/Petrified Forest National Park
Flagstaff, Prescott, Grand Canyon National Park, and Petrified Forest National Park areas tends to have high concentrations of ragweed and juniper tree allergens.
Yuma
Yuma has ragweed high on the problem list too, but cedar and juniper trees also cause seasonal issues for many.
Testing and Diagnosis
If you’re experiencing seasonal allergies in Arizona, it’s best to get a test to determine the exact cause. When you know what your allergen triggers are, it’s easier to find relief and avoid those allergens. Typically, the easiest method to find out what you’re allergic to is with an at-home blood allergy test.
Here’s how it works:
Old Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing for allergies is painful, time-consuming and inconvenient. This method forces you to go into your doctor’s office and sit in the waiting room only to leave with irritated skin. Save time and get painless allergy testing with a simple finger-prick test instead.
Modern and Efficient Method Taken At-Home
- Get a Wyndly at-home test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and return it via mail. You take an easy finger-prick test and return your sample in the provided box.
- Receive your personal allergy profile. Our doctors interpret your allergy profile for you and create a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment and Remedies
There are various ways to treat and relieve your seasonal allergies. Let’s take a quick look at the methods available.
Lifestyle Modifications
You can improve your home environment to reduce your exposure to allergens when you’re not outside. Here are some things you can do.
- Vacuum and dust often: You will likely track pollen into your home. Make sure you’re cleaning often to get rid of the pollen and dust. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter is recommended.
- Keep windows closed and run your air conditioning: Equip your home with a HEPA air filter and keep your windows closed when it’s your allergy season.
- Wash clothes and body frequently: When you’re outside, pollen will get on your clothes, in your hair and on your body. Make sure you wash your clothes to get rid of pollen and shower to clean the pollen off of you.
- Take off your shoes and socks: If you have pollen on your shoes and socks, you should take them off right when you get home — otherwise, you’ll track it everywhere.
Medications
Medications can be very helpful when it comes to allergy management. There are several types of medications that might help you get through the Arizona allergy season.
- Over-the-counter: You can find over-the-counter allergy medications that work for most ages. There are non-drowsy choices available if you’re needing relief during the day. Here are the common options:
- Antihistamines: When your immune system reacts to an allergen, it produces antibodies and histamine, which exhibit themselves as allergy symptoms. Antihistamines inhibit histamine, helping you get relief in the short term.
- Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays are great solutions for runny or stuffy noses. These sprays help to reduce nasal swelling, diminishing symptoms related to the nasal passages.
- Eye drops: Eye drops help with itchy eyes by clearing your eyes of pollen.
- Prescription: Prescription medicines are usually your last resort if over-the-counter options aren’t working. Consult your doctor if you think you need to go this route.
When these other options aren’t working, consider a natural, holistic solution like sublingual immunotherapy.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
Sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops introduce the allergen to your system in gradually increasing increments to teach your body how to respond to allergens, reducing symptoms over time. Wyndly uses this method to help you beat your allergies and find long-term relief.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
If you’re looking to get long-term relief from your allergies, Wyndly is your solution. Wyndly will create a personalized plan that uses at-home sublingual immunotherapy to train your immune system. With Wyndly, you can help your body learn to ignore allergy triggers, allowing you to live your life without having to take medicines and avoid peak allergy seasons. See if you’re a good candidate for Wyndly to get a personalized recommendation for lifelong allergy relief.
Arizona Allergy FAQs
Here’s a quick rundown of some Arizona-specific season allergy frequently asked questions.
How long is Arizona’s allergy season?
Arizona’s allergy season can last year round, depending on your allergen triggers. Spring tends to be the most volatile, with winter having fewer allergens.
Why is allergy season so bad in Arizona?
Arizona has a dry climate with frequent breezes, allowing plant pollen to travel easily. Also, because of Arizona’s year-round growing season, there are always some plants producing pollen. Add the common non-seasonal pollution and mold allergies, and some individuals can have a particularly difficult time with allergies in Arizona.
Is Arizona a good state if you have allergies?
It depends on what you’re allergic to. Taking an allergy panel can help you determine if Arizona is a good state for your allergies.
When is the Arizona allergy season?
Year-round.
What are the worst months?
Spring tends to be the most volatile, with winter having fewer allergens.
