Is Your City on the List?

It's spring allergy season, and that means it's time for the latest "spring allergy capitals" list from the nonprofit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Every year, the AAFA analyzes U.S. cities based on their prevalence of people with spring allergies, pollen scores during the previous spring, allergy medicine usage, and board-certified allergists per patient. See if your town made this year's list of the worst cities for spring allergies.

No. 10: Augusta, Ga.

Home of the Masters golf tournament, Augusta, Ga., is the tenth worst city in the U.S. for spring allergies, according to the AAFA. Augusta calls itself the "Garden City" of the South. While that greenery is beautiful, it can trigger spring allergies — and Augusta's most recent pollen score was worse than average. Still, Augusta ranks above average for board-certified allergists per patient. Augusta took fourth place on last year's AAFA list.

No. 9: Little Rock, Ark.

Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas, is holding steady in the ninth spot on the AAFA list of spring allergy capitals — the same rank Little Rock held in 2008. The AAFA reports that Little Rock has an average ratio of board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients and had an average pollen score last spring — but the city was worse than average for allergy medicine usage per patient last spring, based on pharmacy data of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

No. 8: Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio, holds the No. 8 spot in this year's AAFA spring allergy capitals list. But last year, Dayton was No. 64 — far from the top 10. City rankings can shift from year to year, depending on whether a city improved or faltered in any or all of the AAFA's three categories: pollen score, medicine use per patients, and board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients. This year, the AAFA rated Dayton as worse than average in all three categories.

No. 7: Greensboro, N.C.

Ranked second in 2008, Greensboro, N.C., moves several slots down the AAFA's spring allergy capitals list to the No. 7 spot. Still, this Southern city was worse than average in all three categories that the AAFA considered. But don't blame Greensboro's flowers — pollen is also released by trees, grasses, and weeds. And breezy days can be bad news if you've got spring allergies, as the wind wafts pollen through the air. Keep doors and windows shut to keep pollen out.

No. 6: McAllen, Texas

Located near the U.S.-Mexico border, McAllen, Texas, ranks sixth on this year's AAFA spring allergy capitals list. McAllen has seen its population boom in recent years, by about 83% from 1990 to 2006, according to the city's Chamber of Commerce. With a growing population, McAllen is worse than average in its ratio of board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients, but its spring pollen season last year was about average, and so is its allergy medicine use per patient.

No. 5: Wichita, Kan.

Wichita, the largest city in Kansas, moved into the No. 5 spot on this year's AAFA list, up from 48th place on last year's list. While Wichita has an average ratio of board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients, it had a worse-than-average pollen season last spring and worse-than-average use of allergy medications, according to the AAFA. Here's another spring allergy management tip: Wash your hair after being outside — you'll get the pollen out.

No. 4: Madison, Wis.

Madison, Wis., ranks fourth in the AAFA's 2009 list of spring allergy capitals. Wisconsin's capital wasn't on the AAFA's list of spring allergy capitals in 2008, so why is it suddenly near the top of the list? Chalk it up to a harsh pollen season last spring and worse-than-average allergy medication use per patient. Wherever you are, the daily pollen count — the amount of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter — is often part of your local weather forecast.

No. 3: Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte, N.C., shot up from 23rd place in 2008 to the No. 3 spot on the AAFA's spring allergy capitals list. Charlotte, where the NASCAR Hall of Fame is being built, lagged behind average in all three categories covered by the AAFA's spring allergy capitals list. If you've got spring allergies, remember to change the air filters in your home often and to vacuum twice weekly, wearing a mask while you vacuum so you don't breathe in pollen stirred up while vacuuming.

No. 2: Knoxville, Tenn.

Knoxville, Tenn., is in second place on the AAFA's 2009 spring allergy capitals list, shifting up from the No. 6 spot in 2008. Home to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville had a worse-than-average rate of allergy medicine use by patients but was average in its pollen score last spring and in its ratio of board-certified allergists per 10,000 patients, according to the AAFA. Pollen is the biggest trigger for spring allergies, no matter where you live.

No. 1: Louisville, Ky.

The worst U.S. city for spring allergies in 2009 is Louisville, Ky. The AAFA reports that Louisville, the home of the Kentucky Derby, had worse-than-average pollen scores last spring and worse-than-average medicine use per patient. When pollen scores get crazy high — in Louisville or elsewhere — try to stay inside, especially in the morning, when pollen counts usually peak. Louisville ranked 21st on the AAFA's 2008 spring allergy capitals list.

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• Allergic Cascade