Does a change in season cause you to have a stuffy nose and watery, itchy eyes? Do you find yourself sneezing a lot during the spring and fall? If so, you may live in an Allergy Capital™.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2021 Allergy Capitals™ report. This report ranks the top 100 most challenging cities in the continental United States to live with seasonal pollen allergies.
The report includes both spring and fall data to create a ranking of the top 100 cities based on:
- Spring and fall pollen scores
- Over-the-counter medicine use
- Availability of board-certified allergists
The report also includes seasonal rankings of the top cities for both spring and fall pollen allergies.
The top 10 most challenging cities overall to live in with seasonal allergies in 2021 are:
- Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Richmond, Virginia
- Wichita, Kansas
- McAllen, Texas
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- New Haven, Connecticut
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
People with asthma and allergies should be able to find relief no matter where they live. We release this report each year to help you manage your seasonal allergies. With proper diagnosis, the right treatment, and by reducing contact with pollen, you can feel better and improve your quality of life.
“It’s important people with seasonal allergies prepare. They should try their best to reduce exposure to pollen,” says Dr. Mitchell Grayson, Chair of AAFA’s Medical Scientific Council and Director of the Division of Allergy and Immunology and Professor of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University. “Schedule an appointment with your allergist to work on a treatment plan together to help reduce allergy symptoms when prevention is not enough.”
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. This is commonly called “hay fever.” If you have pollen allergies, seasonal allergy symptoms appear during the time of year when pollen counts are high.
You may have seasonal allergies if you get allergy symptoms in the early spring or during the late summer or early fall. The symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose (congestion)
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itching in the nose, eyes, or the roof of the mouth
Managing Seasonal Allergies
The 2021 Allergy CapitalsTM report includes tips on how you can reduce your contact with pollen to help you manage your symptoms.
A board-certified allergist can also help you come up with a plan to manage your seasonal allergies. Allergy treatment options include:
- Allergy medicines, such as antihistamines
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays
- Immunotherapy – allergy shots or tablets
Talk with your doctor before allergy season begins about which treatment is right for you.
SPRING ALLERGY TIP: Keep your windows closed and remove your shoes before entering your home to cut down how much pollen gets inside your home. More pollen allergy tips available at allergycapitals.com from @aafanational
How Can I Learn More About the Report?
The Allergy Capitals™ ranking is an annual research and education project from AAFA. We release the report to help people recognize, prevent and safely treat allergy symptoms. Through this ranking, AAFA raises awareness about the impact of spring and fall seasonal allergies. It provides helpful information that can improve the quality of life for people living with seasonal allergies.Visit allergycapitals.com to see the full list and to learn more about allergy diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
Join our online community where you can get support for asthma and allergies and stay up to date on news and research.
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