Outdoor Allergy Triggers in Arizona

OUTDOOR ALLERGY TRIGGERS IN ARIZONA ARIZONA ALLERGIES BY THE NUMBERS ///// Phoenix is ranked as the worst city in the U.S. for ragweed allergies Test subjects became Increase in allergic sensitivity could be due to climate change 15% more sensitive to ragweed from 2005-2008 cOmmON ALLERGY-CAUSING PLANTS IN ARIZONA WHERE IT GROWS • Gardens *** ***. CHARACTERISTICS • Thick, hairy stem • Yellow daisy-like petals • Closely related to ragweed ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Contact dermatitis, especially in individuals with ragweed sensitivity common SUNFLOWER CHARACTERISTICS • Narrow leaves • Small flowers • Difficult to WHERE IT GROWS • Yards • Roadsides • Golf courses eradicate ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Hay fever • Contact dermatitis BERMUDA GRASS WHERE IT GROWS • Roadsides • Desert areas CHARACTERISTICS • Short trunk •2" long, wedge- shaped leaves • Light green in color ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Hay fever from airborne pollen • Respiratory problems BIG SAGEBRUSH WHERE IT GROWS • All over the Southwestern U.S. CHARACTERISTICS • Deciduous tree • Light brown bark • Simple yellow flowers ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Hay fever • Dermatitis • Skin rashes or blisters COTTONWOOD - RIO GRANDE CHARACTERISTICS • Silvery-white WHERE IT GROWS • Dry, rocky ground • Roadsides • Fields shrub • Short leaves • Coarse stems ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Hay fever • Dermatitis • Photoallergic dermatitis DESERT RAGWEED CHARACTERISTICS • 2-4" leaves • Spiky or "toothed" WHERE IT GROWS • Landfills • Septic fields • Gardens appearance • Tiny clustered ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Respiratory problems • Potentially toxic if ingested • If eaten, may cause headache, nausea, convulsions, or coma MEXICAN flowers TEA WHERE IT GROWS • Yards • Any landscaped areas • Roadsides CHARACTERISTICS • Deciduous tree • Gray-green trunk and branches • Many yellow flowers ALLERGIC REACTIONS • Hay fever • Itchy, watery eyes PALO VERDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY SURPRISE FAMILY MEDICINE http://www.familydoctorphoenix.com/ SURPRISE Family Medicine SOURCES http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/20110525phoenix-worst-city-for-ragweed.html http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-121 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-416 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-1017 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-737 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-520 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-191 http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/allergies/common/allergens/AZ-allergen-1128 http://allergywise.com/2012/04/palo-verde-parkinsonia-microphylla/ ******