McAllen, Texas sits near the border of Mexico and is known for its scorching summers and high humidity. For 2018, it has been ranked as the most challenging U.S. city to live in if you have pollen allergies, according to the Spring Allergy Capitals Report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
The city jumped from the fifth spot in 2016 to the first in 2018.
The other nine cities to make AAFA’s list are:
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Memphis, Tennessee
- San Antonio, Texas
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Dayton, Ohio
- Syracuse, New York
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Knoxville, Tennessee
Jackson, Mississippi, which ranked first in 2016 and 2015, fell to the third spot. While San Antonio, Texas, flew from the 22nd position in 2016 to the fifth spot this year.
For the rankings, AAFA analyzed three major factors: a pollen score derived from pollen counts, the prevalence of allergy medication prescriptions among a city’s patient population, and the number of allergy specialists available in a metropolitan area.
This list “helps people in these areas be more aware of what may contribute to their allergy symptoms,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA, in a press release. “With the right treatment plan, seasonal allergies can be managed for better quality of life.”
New York allergist Dr. Clifford Bassett said this report highlights the importance of seeing an allergist during the spring.
“I have found that many of my patients who follow the annual AAFA Spring Allergy Capitals report have better awareness of those areas that are likely to be associated with seasonal pollen misery, and thus, are better able to utilize a proactive allergy action plan for optimizing their own care,” he said.
See the full report here.
Get more news from Allergic Living to your inbox.
Related:
Top Tips for Managing Tree Pollen Allergies
10 Biggest Pollen Allergy Questions
