Some cities may trigger worse seasonal allergies than others. A new report reveals which locations lead to the worst allergies.
A new report ranks the most-challenging cities to live in the U.S. for those who suffer from spring and fall allergies in 2022 based on seasonal pollen scores, over-the-counter allergy medicine use and the number of available allergy specialists in each area, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The organization has issued the yearly report since 2003.
Pollen can particularly cause hay fever, or “allergic rhinitis,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and affects roughly 60 million Americans. Allergic rhinitis is “one of the most common allergic conditions” and causes sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, red and watery eyes, itching of the nose, eyes, ears and mouth, as well as puffy eyes, AAFA says. Roughly 7.7% of adults and 7.2% of children have gotten a seasonal allergic rhinitis diagnosis.
“Seasonal allergies have worsened,” AAFA says. “Longer and warmer growing seasons cause more intense releases of pollen,” CEO and president of AAFA, Kenneth Mendez, told McClatchy News in a statement. “Increased exposure to allergens can trigger asthma.”
“Climate change has caused the growing seasons to get longer and warmer, leading to higher pollen counts in both spring and fall,” AAFA says in its report. These cities cause “worse than average” allergies:
- Wichita, Kansas
- McAllen, Texas
- Richmond, Virginia
- San Antonio, Texas
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