THE 10 WORST CITIES FOR SPRING ALLERGIES IN 2015

Every year the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks the most challenging cities to live in for spring allergy sufferers. The list includes 100 metropolitan areas and goes from "most challenging" to "least challenging." So, on this list, a high ranking is bad news for allergy sufferers. Here’s a look at the ten worst cities for allergies this spring.1

10. RICHMOND, VA

Improving from its number eight spot last year, Richmond scored "better than average" on its allergists to patients ratio but remains "worse than average" in terms of its pollen/mold score.

9. PROVIDENCE, RI

Despite its coastal location Providence was rated “worse than average” on all measures (pollen/mold score, amount of patients using allergy medication, and allergist to patient ratio).

8. DAYTON, OH

Moving up from its number eleven spot last year, Dayton was rated "worse than average" on both its pollen/mold score and the amount of patients using allergy medication.

7. WICHITA, KS

From number twelve last year to number seven this year, Wichita is “worse than average” in terms of its pollen/mold score but has an “average” number of allergists to patients.

6. MCALLEN, TX

Part of the Rio Grande Valley and therefore subject to seasonal "Cedar Fever."2 McAllen scored "worse than average" on all measures (pollen/mold score, amount of patients using allergy medication, and allergist to patient ratio).

5. KNOXVILLE, TN

For a city rated “worse than average” on its pollen/mold score and amount of patients using allergy medication, Knoxville is “better than average” in terms of its allergists to patients ratio.

4. MEMPHIS, TN

Not far from its number two spot last year, Memphis continues to be “worse than average” in terms of its pollen/mold score and the amount of people using allergy medication.

3. OKLAHOMA CITY, OH

For being "worse than average" on its pollen/mold score and amount of patients using allergy medication, Oklahoma City is "better than average" in terms of its allergists to patients ratio.

2. LOUISVILLE, KY

From the number one spot last year to number 2 this year, Louisville has—unsurprisingly—a “worse than average” pollen/mold score. Luckily, the city is doing “better than average” in terms of its allergists to patients ratio.

1. JACKSON, MS

With its "worse than average" pollen/mold score and amount of patients using allergy medicine, the AAFA found Jackson to be the worst city for spring allergy sufferers this year.

Sources:

1. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2015)Spring Allergy Capitals 2015 Signs
http://www.aafa.org/pdfs/FINAL%20public%20LIST%20Spring_2015%20Updated.pdf

2. Sharpe, P. (1998, January 1). Cedar Fever. Retrieved April 15, 2015. http://pollen.utulsa.edu/cedar.html