As spring rolls around, Americans have begun bracing for pollen season and the allergies it brings with it every year.
However, not all will be sneezing the same through the spring allergy season, which lasts from March to June, as a new report has revealed the US cities where Americans will suffer from allergies the worst.
Analyzing the 100 most populous cities in the country, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America assigned each a score, with 100 indicating the most allergy-prone city. The lower the score, the better for allergy sufferers.
According to the CDC, about 25 percent of adults and 19 percent of children have seasonal allergies across the US, but for the third year in a row, the AAFA named Wichita city, Kansas as the allergy capital of the country.
The city, which scored a perfect 100, was found to have worse-than-average tree and grass pollen and more use of allergy medications. It also had a below average number of doctors who treat allergies.
During spring allergy season in Wichita, pollen generated from trees such as oak, cedar, and pine is the main cause of allergies.
All three trees are known to release relatively higher amounts of allergens into the air, which can lead to higher pollen counts and increased irritation for people with allergies.
Additionally in Wichita, weeds like ragweed are notorious for also producing large amounts of pollen, causing allergic symptoms like watery, itchy or swollen eyes, a runny or stuffed nose and sneezing.
As of 2021, about 81 million Americans were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
To assign scores, the researchers factored in levels of tree grass, and weed pollen in the cities, the usage of over-the-counter allergy medicine and the availability of board-certified allergists as well as immunologists.
Following Wichita, New Orleans in Louisiana ranked second with a score of 86.8 and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma came in third with a score of 86.
Both cities had worse-than-average tree and grass pollen along with a higher-than-average use of allergy medications.
According to the experts involved in the report, New Orleans – which jumped from 34th place last year – earned second place because of its much higher weed pollen levels, which are made worse by moisture from hurricanes that frequent the region.
Excessive moisture caused by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and hurricanes can increase the release of weed pollen into the air as heavy raindrops that hit the ground break clumps of pollen into smaller particles.
These smaller pollen specks then quickly scatter into the air, causing a sudden increase in allergy and allergic asthma symptoms during the rain shower.
In Oklahoma, Dr Matthew Else, medical director for Craft Concierge Medicine in Tulsa, said wildfires in the state caused a spike in respiratory illnesses, allergies and other health issues.
Windy conditions worsens allergy symptoms by lifting and circulating pollen in the air, allowing them to spread more widely, while low humidity dries out the nasal passages, making them more sensitive and prone to irritation.
For the third year in a row, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America named Wichita city in Kansas as the allergy capital of the country
Coming in fourth was Tulsa, Oklahoma with a score of 84.1 while Memphis, Tennessee ranked fifth with 83.5.
On the other end of the spectrum, allergy suffers may want to flock to, Boston, Massachusetts, which earned the lowest score of 45.2.
Salt Lake City, Utah and Akron, Ohio followed in second and third place, respectively, for cities that were best for getting through the spring allergy season.
San Diego, California earned a sore of 50.4 and rounding out the five best cities for allergy sufferers was Cleveland, Ohio, with a score of 52.
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, can cause itchy eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and fatigue.
In certain cases, it can also trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath and cause prolonged sinus congestion.
In children, extreme seasonal allergies can contribute to middle ear infections and impair concentration.
The AAFA suggests mostly staying inside on days of high pollen and wearing sunglasses, a hat or head covering and a mask when outside to limit the amount of pollen that gets into your eyes, nose, mouth and lungs.
The agency also recommends removing your shoes before entering the house, changing and washing clothes after outdoor activities and using air purifiers to keep pollen out of the house.
