Now that spring is officially here, people across the United States can look forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. Following a particularly rough winter that seemed like it would never end, this season of renewal offers a welcome respite from the cold and snow. If you suffer from allergies, though, spring also means that you need to be prepared for some of your symptoms to begin worsening as pollen enters the air and aggravates your eyes, nose, mouth and lungs.
In order to help folks prepare for the inevitability of seasonal allergies, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released its annual Spring Allergy Capitals report. Unfortunately, experts say that this upcoming allergy season is expected to be worse than last year's.
"Severe weather patterns can bring higher temperatures, higher pollen levels and increased exposure to mold, resulting in spring allergies that can peak stronger and last longer," said allergist Dr. Bill Berger.
By calculating factors such as pollen scores, medicine utilized per patient and the number of allergy specialists in a particular city, the AAFA assigned each metro a score of 1 to 100. Here are the top 10 highest ranking cities in the United States:
1. Jackson, Mississippi
2. Knoxville, Tennessee
3. Chattanooga, Tennessee
4. McAllen, Texas
5. Louisville, Kentucky
6. Wichita, Kansas
7. Dayton, Ohio
8. Memphis, Tennessee
9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take to reduce your symptoms this spring. In addition to seeing a specialist and taking any prescribed medications, you may want to consider investing in a whole house air purifier, which removes allergens directly from the air. Additionally, by engaging in an annual spring cleaning ritual, you can rid your house of irritants that may have built up over the winter to ensure that your home is a comfortable place for you.
