Hi all, I was sitting here, thinking about my evening out last night. I went out, got setup to do some stargazing, it was pretty windy out, so that along with some highclouds it made for a bad night, but the topper was my allergies kicked in, my eyes got very itchy, watery, hurt like heck at times. They got puffy and very red, it looked like I did a round with Mike Tyson......damn, that sucked. So needles to say, I just came back inside and went to bed feeling miserable. The wind kicked up alot of pollen and living in an agriculture area we have lots of pollen for my eyes to have fun with. I never really thought now allergies as such would affect at hobby like this. I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem or something along the same lines. I have the Benadryl and Visine ready for tonight ....lol. ..........Sky

 Skyeye - You are not alone! I have always had sinus troubles since a teenager but since moving out here to NM, the dust and allergins have kept me on antihystermines  most of the time and a lot of other people out here complain of the same thing. I thought coming out "here" was good for one's health? I think the guy who started the rumor must be dead now from upper resperatory illness Mr Q

Actually it was quite true that living in the southwest was good for those with allergies and respiratory problems, about 100 years ago!  The problem is the invasive species that have been brought into the region by people on purpose or otherwise.  Seems like those who lived in the east couldn't do without their flowers, trees, grasses, and other plants when they moved here.

Sorry they got you down.

L

I was pretty much allergy free when I lived in Texas, but as soon as I moved to California, forget it. I used to get nosebleeds out of nowhere, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, not good. There are alot of folks out here that suffer from respiratory issues, asthma is one of the biggest ones, especially in children. Another one is the so called "valley fever" that one is terrible. Well I took my Benadryl for the evening, the sun is almost set, another hour or so and we shall see what the evening sky holds for us to see.......take care..........Sky 

 Leo - More than a hundred years ago, easterners with resperatory ailments (black lung, etc.) were told to "go west" for the clean air to get well. Well, the air has never been "clean" out here in the SW - so much dust (silica) blowing around for eons but untill just recently has the problem been addressed. Like they say, "You can run but you can't hide". Mr Q

Yes that is quite true about the silica blowing around out in the great basin areas and in deserts.  If like John Muir you headed to the Sierra Nevada or other areas before we re-engineered the landscape to suit ourselves, think Owens Valley and the Central Valley of California, things were better.  Only recently have people woken up to the fact that the dried up Owens Lake is dangerous as is the rapidly deteriorating Salton Sea both of which are problems we created in our desire to tame the wild west.

My sister moved to Bakersfield in the early eighties and the Valley Fever is no joke. The dust, pollen, and pesticide residue from agriculture produces a most unwelcome attack on the respiratory system.  She is much happier in Gilbert Arizona but I am remaining here near to where I was born down in Orange County California where I can visit the ocean, mountains, and desert without too much fuss as long as the traffic isn't too horrible of course!

L 

I live in the Central Valley in California and it's no joke around here come spring/summer, that is the worst time for me and allergies. In addition to all the pollen in the air, is all the pesticides that the farmers use to spray their fields. I've been out running before and have had to cut my run short due to the cropdusters taking flight and spraying the fields nearby. I had a friend of mine who caught Valley Fever, he had pretty sick, he had half of one lung removed. As soon as he was better, he out of here, went back to Illinois. I guess you'll have one thing or another anywhere you go, but some places are worse than others........Sky 

Same for Texas last night. Wife, mother, and kids all setup last night. Had the kids playing in the sandbox. Mother and wife drinking wine talking about whatever while I setup the scope. Out of no where clouds roll in and the allergies spiked.

Bout' this time its oak pollen. The clouds decided to end the show so we packed it up and rolled indoors.

What you say is true about the Yanks. Cedar trees are not an indigenousness tree to these parts. However, their super aggressive nature to our native plant life makes them a dominate part of our landscape. They are not drought tolerant which makes it a huge problem for my neck of the woods! My land borders a huge nature preserve chalked full of Cedar. Every "Cedar Season" we are popping allergy meds and drinking gallons of water just to keep things at bay.

It's real bad down here in the Black Forest part of Germany as well. I have no idea what all the pollens are in the air, but the dust settles everywhere and really causes me problems with congestion.  My heart condition rules out antihistamines as they make my heart race and keep me up all night, but there is an herbal remedy they sell that works pretty well.  Still a hassle.  Also, we are getting to the point now were we don't get much darkness as well, being at such northerly latitudes.  O, the trials and tribulations we suffer for our wonderful hobby, eh?

I tell you this last week and so far this week have been torture for me. I've been poppiing Sudafed, Claritin, Benadryl, whatever I can get my hands on. The wind has died down around these parts, so that will help tremendously. My neighborhood is surrounded on three sides by agriculture fields and orchards and a few cows here and there. So far no cropdusters in the air, so that is a good thing......Sky

I too because of my Blood Pressure am unable to take antihistamines to relieve conjestion.  Living in an urban area produces its own pollen sources but probably less than the forests and fields.  But of course your skies are a lot darker than mine just outside your door!

Hope your season of sneezing is short,

L

this may sound very strange......BUT.......

years ago i had horrible alergies, then i was forced to take a job as a groundskeeper on a golf course...(economy wasnt so good, i was young, long story)

few weeks went by and i was in aggony!

but i stuck it out, and eventually it didnt bother me anymore, almost like my body learned to defend itself.

so years later i work indoors, and i still dont have the alergies anymore.

may be i out grew them, ( i doubt it )

none the less, i can baithe in grass, and pollen now, and it dosent bother me that bad.

just a thought................

Goodevening fellow nightwatcher, has anyone heard that if you eat honey from your local area that you will eventually become so called imune to the local pollens that aggreviate your allergies? I heard that it has to be honey made by your local bees, that used pollen from the local plants you are allergic to. I don't know if it's an old wives tale or what not, but I guess it would not hurt to try. Anyone ever try this before or maybe heard of something similiar to this? Just curious to know if that would work or not.......Sky

 Something you folks might try.

I used to have allergies something awful. Then about two years ago I was listening to a Dr. pal of mine talk about new talks about dehydration causing a majority of our allergy responses. He said that we should be drinking about 1/2 to a full gallon of water a day as part of our normal habit.

 I took it to heart and start working my way up to a gallon a day. I get about 3 liters (almost there) and for the last year and a half I can count on two hands the times I've popped an allergy med. even living in the middle of a cedar forest. Not to mention I hardly drink coffee as much as I used too, have not fallen ill in the last two years (felt crappy some days), and probably some other stuff I am forgetting off the top of my head.

I also consume a lot less alcohol as I used too. I never realized how dehydration can make you feel so bad but until you stop being dehydrated on a daily basis you never realize. Food for thought...er maybe water in this case :P
 

Drinking lots of water is always a good idea and I also drink at least three liters a day.  As to the honey thing I never heard that before but honey is a great way to sweeten things without having to use refined sugar and it is way better for you.  I would try it as it certainly wouldn't hurt.

L

I've got the solution!    Move to Arizona .......That's what I'm gonna do . ....The skies are better too!     

 Lord have mercy and leave my native country?!?!?  :P

astronig:

I've got the solution!    Move to Arizona .......That's what I'm gonna do . ....The skies are better too!     

Dude, I don't think I could survive without the beach man!

L

There's always The River , and ya don't have to worry about sharks & jellyfish .