Got Allergies? 10 Worst Allergy Spots In The U.S.

Later this week, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America will release its 8th-annual "Allergy Capitals" list. Before it does, HuffPost Health got a preview of the 10 worst allergy spots for spring 2011.

Using pollen scores (the worst area was given a score of 100 points, and all other scores were rescaled as a relative percentage) as well as the allergy medications and allergy specialists per patient, researchers ranked the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. to determine which spots pose the biggest problems for allergy sufferers.

"Every March, the phone calls start picking up with people wondering, 'Where can I get away from allergies?'" said Angel Waldron, a communications rep with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. "The bad news is, there's no ideal place."

The Allergy Capitals list is intended to serve as a tool for people who can work with their physicians to devise a solid management plan.

For example, if you're heading somewhere in the Southeast this spring, Waldron said you should be aware that a high concentration of oak, maple and elm trees means the area "dominates" the top 10. Come fall, the worst spots are typically in the Northeast.

But Waldron cautioned that people should keep things in perspective.

"Don't pack up and move, because there are just different possible allergies somewhere else," Waldron said. "The best thing you can do is find out exactly what you're allergic to and then develop a good management plan."

Do you live in one of the spring hot spots? Here are some natural ways to help fight allergies.

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Knoxville, Tennessee

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Comments

[carolinagirl7]

11:53 AM on 04/13/2011

Richmond and Charlotte both definitely belong on the list. There is almost always something that will get you - trees in the early spring, grass in late spring/early summer, ragweed in late summer/fall. And mold is horrible pretty much year-round.

Moving doesn't do any good unless you're willing to relocate every 2-3 years. It usually takes 2-3 years for your allergies to start flaring up after moving to a new place.

[Ken Kinstle]

11:50 PM on 04/05/2011

If you suffer with allergy symptoms or live in one of these ten areas, you might want to look into http://www.nopal-cactus.com This all natural product is helping many to alleviate their allergy and asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation. Great article thanks!

[IMOPINIONH8D]

10:54 AM on 04/02/2011

It all depends what the individual is allergic to.

[littlepitcher]

10:19 PM on 04/01/2011

Jacksonville, FL trumps them all. I've lived in Knoxville, Chattanooga, spent a couple months in the Birmingham SMSA, and all pale compared to the jewel of the St. Johns. Copious pine and oak pollens, combined with mildew, paper mills and industrial pollutants, kept me sneezing and wheezing nearly year-round. The other three ratings are accurate in their order of severity. The area just south of Chattanooga currently is nearing peak pollen, and the results are far from pleasant--sounds as though the entire population has walking pneumonia and severe colds.

[mmkay]

12:34 AM on 04/01/2011

DC and Baltimore didn't make the cut? Then those other places must be true hells for allergy sufferer, because DC/Baltimore near did me in two summers in a rod, then I relocated.

[rjmtx]

10:43 PM on 03/31/2011

Austin, TX should be on the list.

[ARMANDO DE LA ROSA]

03:40 PM on 03/31/2011

I grew up in Dayton OH and the allergies were annoying but are nothing compared to Knoxville. It is the one place on earth that will make one consider death a blessing as opposed to allergies. Medication was worthless. Non-stop sneezing and runny nose topped of with tearing eyes which flowed like streams. Driving? a near impossibility. Spring? Bad The middle of the Summer even worse. The confluence of forest, industry, and farming with all of it trapped by the Smokies I suppose.

[Kelly Cloud]

09:10 AM on 03/31/2011

In Ky.. Benedryl everyday in spring. Even had to have surgery on my ears. And it gets worse as you age.

[frank day]

10:03 AM on 03/31/2011

Just North of you in Indiana and have the same problems.

I'm dreading Spring.

[whoknew---]

03:33 PM on 03/31/2011

I've heard that if you eat honey derived from your local bee populations especially just before and during allergy season it helps...

Actually that reminds me that I should go get some for myself too...;^)

[katmeyster]

02:17 AM on 03/31/2011

The length of the allergy season, and possibly the type of allergens, will change with climate change. Here in Southern New Mexico we are having a severe drought, but the mulberry trees that use the water table are going crazy with pollen right now.

[NightEditor]

01:55 AM on 04/05/2011

Well, get yourself out there and pick those mulberries when they're ripe ... they make the best wine EVER. If S CA ever finds out about them, they'll pull out all their vineyards and plant mulberry bushes.

[katmeyster]

10:58 PM on 04/06/2011

Unfortunately, these mulberries do not produce fruit -- only pollen. Or believe me, I would.

[PhiKapMom]

01:15 AM on 03/31/2011

Shocked that Dayton, Ohio, isn't higher on the list. Worst allegies I have ever had were in Dayton and why I have no intention of ever living east of the Mississippi River or north of the Mason-Dixon line again. Won't even visit family in that area in the spring. Allergies are much less in OK but were even less in SoCal than in OK. Never took one allergy pill while living in Yucaipa in the foothills of the San Gorgonio Mountains.

[Joseph Kenneth]

11:55 PM on 03/30/2011

How does Phoenix not make this list? It's brutal out here in the spring.

[usthatswho1]

10:20 PM on 03/30/2011

I'm surprised Tucson, Arizona isn't on that list. I would lose my voice within 10 minutes of a dust storm.

[shutterbabe]

02:10 AM on 03/31/2011

I have family in Tucson. I have always considered April to be the cruelest month there. Intense allergies and rattlesnakes!

[Allison Powers]

09:40 PM on 03/30/2011

I can't believe they left out the sinus belt except for Nashville TN. I live in Cleveland and it's known for bad sinus problems. You not only have to look at pollen but include MOLD! The sinus belt I've been told runs from mid Alabama to the Great Lakes, east to the middle of PA and west to Chicago.

[elongor]

09:22 PM on 03/30/2011

I used to live in McAllen, Texas, and all I can say is I'm not surprised that it made the list. Every year I would go through multiple personal hells due to my allergies.

[theepoxyman]

03:29 PM on 03/30/2011

From reading the posts here I have come to the conclusion that everyone thinks they live in the worst place in the world for allergies.
I know I do and my state wasn't listed at all. Everyone here is going around with watery eyes, runny noses and sneezing and wheezing. And, we live in the desert. This used to be a place doctors would tell you to move to if you have allergies. No more.

[ltague]

04:37 PM on 03/30/2011

The study is based on the number of doctor's visits and allergy prescriptions written. Most of us just give in & do our best to live through it & wait for a good rain (unless you're allergic to MOLD)!
I remember thinking about moving to a desert area & then started reading about the futility of that. Good luck!
I'm in Dayton, Ohio - #7 - I'm SO PROUD!

[Susan Mercer]

08:20 PM on 03/30/2011

Seems like as soon as Http://www.allergyreliefsecrets.info spring gets here allergies are bad no matter where you are.