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Non-TV Story of the Day: Don’t Move to One of These Cities If You Have Allergies

Sep 19, 2013  •  Post A Comment

If you’re suffering with sniffles and itchy eyes, it probably has a lot to do with where you live. That’s not exactly a revelation, but a new report out this week from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America gets specific, listing the 10 worst cities in the U.S. for allergy sufferers.

The worst city: Wichita, Kan., which came in at No. 1 in the 2013 Fall Allergy Capitals report.

"The report compares the most challenging U.S. cities to live in for people with fall allergies," USA Today reports. "The primary allergy trigger this fall will be ragweed pollen, says the not-for-profit organization, based in Landover, Md. It says outdoor mold also will be a problem because it continues to grow and is likely to be spread by fall weather and wind patterns."

The report examines the top 100 metro areas in the continental U.S. based on population concentration stats. "The ranking is based on pollen scores, number of allergy medications used per patient, and number of board-certified allergists per patient," USA Today notes. "The report was sponsored by Dymista, a prescription nasal spray for relief of allergy symptoms."

Mike Tringale, VP of external affairs for AAFA, says the worst cities are "places where ragweed thrives. … In addition, there is some crossover — some grasses are still pollinating."

Tringale adds: "Ragweed grows in urban areas, such as in cracks in sidewalks, along sides of roads and on roofs of buildings."

A couple of big cities appear to be getting worse. Dallas moved up from No. 26 on last year’s list to No. 18 this fall, and Detroit rose nine spots to No. 19, the story notes.

Here are the 10 worst cities for fall allergies, according to the new report:

1. Wichita, Kan.
2. Jackson, Miss.
3. Knoxville, Tenn.
4. Louisville, Ky.
5. Memphis, Tenn.
6. McAllen, Texas
7. Baton Rouge, La.
8. Dayton, Ohio
9. Chattanooga, Tenn.
10. Oklahoma City, Okla.

2 Comments

  1. I’m surprised that Phoenix, AZ hasn’t made that list.
    Despite having a reputation for being a location where seasonal allergy sufferers can go for relief, the reality doesn’t quite match the PR. Oh yeah, you’ll find relief… for about two years, then those allergies are going to kick into overdrive. You’ll be fighting itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing and swollen sinuses on and off throughout the year.
    Why?
    Because those early visitors/retirees/etc. from decades ago, decided (in their wisdom) to bring their favorite (non-allergic) plants to decorate their landscapes. The Valley of the Sun is now a haven of plants that normally only grow in different areas all over the U.S., but are to be found together in one locale.
    People are being exposed to things they would not have been, had they stayed where they came from. If some one is allergic to some thing, they are probably allergic to other things, as well. My theory is that it takes about two years of exposure for new allergies to manifest themselves.
    And the dust just aggravates your allergies even more.

  2. That is why north of the artic circle is the only place for allergy sufferers. Lots of clean air….and not much else.

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