{"id":178027,"date":"2021-03-31T10:08:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T10:08:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asthmaandallergyfriendly.com\/USA\/?p=178027"},"modified":"2021-03-31T10:10:09","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T10:10:09","slug":"aafas-2021-allergy-capitals-report-ranks-top-u-s-cities-for-pollen-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asthmaandallergyfriendly.com\/USA\/aafas-2021-allergy-capitals-report-ranks-top-u-s-cities-for-pollen-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"AAFA\u2019s 2021 Allergy Capitals\u2122 Report Ranks Top U.S. Cities for Pollen Allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Feb. 23, 2021, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)<\/a> released its annual Allergy Capitals\u2122 report for 2021. The report identifies the most challenging cities for spring and fall allergies in the top 100 metropolitan areas in the United States. Scranton, Pennsylvania, takes the top spot this year.<\/p>\n

\"2021-allergy-capitals\"<\/p>\n

Cities are ranked based on three factors: spring and fall pollen scores, over-the-counter medicine use, and availability of board-certified allergists. Richmond, Virginia, held the #1 title in 2020.<\/p>\n

The top 10 most challenging cities overall to live in with seasonal allergies in 2021 are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Scranton, Pennsylvania<\/li>\n
  2. Richmond, Virginia<\/li>\n
  3. Wichita, Kansas<\/li>\n
  4. McAllen, Texas<\/li>\n
  5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<\/li>\n
  6. Hartford, Connecticut<\/li>\n
  7. Springfield, Massachusetts<\/li>\n
  8. New Haven, Connecticut<\/li>\n
  9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma<\/li>\n
  10. Bridgeport, Connecticut<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    To see the full 100-city list, go to allergycapitals.com<\/a>. The report lists overall annual rankings and includes a seasonal breakdown for spring and fall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAllergies are a serious public health concern,\u201d said Kenneth Mendez, President and CEO of AAFA. \u201cMore than 24 million people in the U.S. have seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as hay fever. Pollen allergies are a major cause. AAFA\u2019s Allergy Capitals\u2122 report helps make sense of the impact on individual and community health. Two notable parts of our 2021 report include the effects of COVID-19 and climate change on seasonal allergies. In 2020, fewer people felt the impact of pollen allergies. This is likely due to COVID-19 restrictions with more people staying indoors. But climate change continues to cause longer and more severe allergy seasons. If we don\u2019t slow down the cycle, pollen production will only intensify. This means symptoms could worsen as climate change continues to evolve.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Seasonal allergies cause\u00a0seasonal allergic rhinitis. This is commonly called \u201chay fever.\u201d If you have\u00a0pollen allergies<\/a>, allergy symptoms appear during the time of year when pollen starts releasing from the plants you may be allergic to \u2013 such as trees, grasses, or weeds.<\/p>\n

    You may have pollen allergies if you get allergy symptoms<\/a> in the early spring or during the late summer or early fall.<\/p>\n

    In some parts of the U.S., tree pollen season starts as early as January. It will continue through summer. In the fall, weed pollen \u2212 especially ragweed \u2212 causes symptoms. But you can find relief with the right treatment and by managing contact with pollen.<\/p>\n

    You can use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly\u00ae<\/strong><\/strong> products<\/a> along with these tips to help you reduce your exposure to allergens and triggers:<\/p>\n