The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2020 Allergy Capitals™ report. It ranks the top 100 most challenging cities in the U.S. for seasonal allergies.
AAFA ranked the cities based on three factors:
- Spring and fall pollen counts
- Use of allergy medicines
- Availability of board-certified allergists
Richmond, Virginia, topped the 2020 list for the most challenging city for allergies overall in the U.S. The full report lists the top 100 metropolitan areas for seasonal allergies, as well the top spring and fall capitals.
The top 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies in 2020 are:
- Richmond, Virginia
- Scranton, Pennsylvania
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- Hartford, Connecticut
- McAllen, Texas
- New Haven, Connecticut
- San Antonio, Texas
- Bridgeport, Connecticut
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
“For more than 50 years, the prevalence of allergic diseases has risen and it’s no coincidence that during the same time, pollen seasons have become stronger and longer due to warmer temperatures,” says Kenneth Mendez, AAFA CEO and president. “The Allergy Capitals report helps raise awareness about the impact of seasonal allergies, how people can prepare and start proper treatment. Local communities can also use the report as a tool to identify how to better meet the needs of their residents living with allergies and allergic asthma.”
Seasonal allergies affect more than 50 million Americans. They can cause allergic rhinitis, commonly known as “hay fever.” Symptoms include:
- Itching in the nose and eyes
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose (congestion)
- Runny nose
- Mucus (phlegm) in the throat (postnasal drip)
But relief is possible with management and treatment. The report includes tips on how to manage pollen allergies and prevent it from coming into your home. But it can still find its way in on your hair, clothes, shoes and pets. CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products can help you manage any pollen that does make its way in. Try these cleaning tips to reduce your exposure to pollen inside your home:
- Clean carpets at least once a week with a CERTIFIED vacuum.
- Wash CERTIFIED beddingin hot water weekly. Dry in a dryer or on an indoor clothes line, not outside. Use CERTIFIED laundry appliances to effectively reduce pollen.
- Use central air conditioning, if possible, with a CERTIFIED HVAC air filter.
- Use a CERTIFIED air cleanerin your bedroom or living room to clean pollen that may be in your indoor air.
Check out AAFA’s Allergy Capitals™ report for more pollen management tips.
How Can I Find Out More About the Report?
The Allergy Capitals™ ranking is an annual research and education project from AAFA. They 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 of all 100 areas and to learn more about allergy diagnosis, prevention and treatment.