Allergy Capitals

Allergy season is here and for some of us it is the most miserable time one can have, because of the pollen count and all the other symptoms that occur with allergies. And if you suffer for any upper respiratory problems this is a very problematic and even dangerous . There is no place safe from allergies in America, and some cities are more problematic than others, as stated by the Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

 The Allergy Capitals is an annual research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to identify “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” in the spring and fall seasons each year. The rankings are based on scientific analysis of 3 factors for the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. The data measured and compared each year includes:

Image via Wikipedia
• Pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores)
• Number of allergy medications used per patient
• Number of allergy specialists per patient

The link to the PDF file is below:
Allergy Capitals

Allergies are diseases of the immune system that cause an overreaction to substances called "allergens." Allergies are grouped by the kind of trigger, time of year or where symptoms appear on the body: indoor and outdoor  allergies (also called "hay fever," "seasonal," "perennial" or "nasal" allergies), food allergies, latex allergies, insect  allergies, skin  allergies and eye  allergies. People who have allergies can live healthy and active lives.


Know exactly what you are allergic to. See an allergist and have testing done to determine which pollens or other items (molds, pets, etc.) that you are allergic to. Specifically knowing what you are allergic to can help your allergist tailor your treatment plan.

See your doctor to know when you should start your allergy medications, Whether you take nasal sprays and/or oral medication begin taking your allergy medications now before your symptoms start. Beginning those medications now can help lessen the severity of your symptoms later.

Web MD gives several tips fighting spring allergies:


Tips for Fighting Spring Allergies
With spring rains, there's more mold growth inside and outside your home. Flowers, trees, weeds, and grasses also begin to blossom. And spring cleaning will stir up dust mites throughout the house.

• Keep pollen under control.

• Wash bedding every week in hot water. Wash your hair and shower before going to bed, since pollen can accumulate in hair.

• Clean every surface.
• Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming, or painting to limit dust and chemical exposure. 

• Vacuum twice a week.
• Wash rugs.
• Limit throw rugs to reduce dust and mold. If you do have rugs, make sure they are washable

• Keep indoor air clean.
• Keep windows closed to reduce pollen entering the house. Change filters in air conditioning units and vents frequently this time of year.
• Consider allergy medicine.

Talk to your doctor about a seasonal allergy drug that may be appropriate for your symptoms.


Resources: physorg.com,WebMD