- The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America identified the cities.
- About 25% of American adults have a seasonal allergy.
If you suffer from pollen-related sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes, you are one of millions of people in the United States affected by seasonal allergies.
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 25% of American adults have a seasonal allergy. And where you live can affect how severe your symptoms can be this season.
A new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) identifies cities where people are most affected by spring and fall allergies. Using data from the country’s 100 most populous metropolitan areas, researchers were able to rank the best and worst places to live based on pollen counts, use of over-the-counter allergy medicines and the number of board-certified allergists. The rationale is that it’s not just about where you’re likely to suffer from allergies, but also where you can get proper care.
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“We are experiencing longer and more intense allergy seasons due to climate change. For people with asthma, allergies can trigger an asthma attack,” said Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of AAFA. “About 3,600 people a year die from asthma, so it’s important to address and manage asthma and allergy triggers where you live.”
The metropolitan areas most challenging for allergy sufferers, according to the AAFA, all have three factors in common: they have more than average spring and fall pollen, they use more than average allergy medicines, and there are fewer than average board-certified allergists. in the metropolitan area.
Here are the 10 worst places to live in the US if you suffer from seasonal allergies:
10. Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville has worse than average scores for allergy drug use and average pollen scores and number of allergy specialists.
9. Des Moines, Iowa
Keep your home’s pollen exposure low by washing your bedding in warm water weekly and drying clothes indoors.
8. Orlando, Florida
If you spend time outside, cover your hair, take off your shoes before going indoors, and shower before going to bed to keep pollen at bay.
7. Cape Coral, Florida
Pets can bring pollen into your home. Wipe down the animals before they enter the house, give them regular baths, and keep them out of the bedroom if pollen is a problem.
6. Sarasota, Florida
Air filters and purifiers can help remove pollen from indoor air. Keeping windows closed also helps.
5. Tulasa, Okla
Nasal rinses help clear pollen from your nose. Nasal sprays help reduce swelling and itching in the nose.
4.Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Immunotherapy, such as allergy shots, can make you less sensitive to pollen. It is a long-term treatment that can help prevent allergic reactions.
3. Scranton, Pennsylvania
Pollen allergies can make your mouth itch when you eat certain fruits or vegetables. It’s called pollen food allergy syndrome, and it happens when your immune system can’t distinguish between some pollens and certain foods.
2. Dallas, Texas
Talk to your doctor about treatment options. It’s a good idea to start allergy treatments before pollen season starts.
1. Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas, scored worse than average in all three categories: pollen counts, medication use, and number of allergy specialists.
Please refer to our for current allergen levels for your region allergy tracker.
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