If you can’t step outside without getting itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing or coughing, you know spring allergy season has arrived. Research shows it’s getting worse every year thanks to winds carrying pollen from other areas and warmer temperatures, which can make symptoms more unpredictable and unbearable. Some parts of the country are definitely hit harder than others and a new report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America uncovers where it’s the worst.
- They ranked the most challenging places to live in the U.S. for those who suffer from pollen allergies.
- The foundation focuses on tree, grass and weed pollen counts in the 100 cities with the biggest populations, and how many days each has high pollen counts.
- It also looks at over-the-counter allergy medicine use and the availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists in each city.
- This year’s allergy capital is Boise, Idaho. It takes the top spot from Wichita Kansas, which held it for the last three years in a row.
- Utah has the most cities in the top 20 with three - Provo, Ogden, and Salt Lake City.
- According to the report, climate change may be responsible for more pollen strikes and a longer pollen season in the West. In previous years, pollen hit the Southeast part of the U.S. more intensely.
The Top 10 Worst Places To Live With Pollen Allergies
- Boise, Idaho
- San Diego, California
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Provo, Utah
- Rochester, New York
- Wichita, Kansas
- Raleigh, North Carolina
- Ogden, Utah
- Spokane, Washington
- Greenville, South Carolina
Photo: RealPeopleGroup / E+ / Getty Images