Spring is here, bringing with it green grass, warmer temperatures, baseball season, and allergies. Depending on where you live, you may be feeling the effects of allergies more strongly than others. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has released their list of “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies.”
The 10 Worst Places for spring allergies:
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Dallas, Texas
- Richmond, Virginia
- Birmingham, Alabama
- McAllen, Texas
Louisville has held a position on the list for many years, but has risen this year to take the top spot. To determine the rankings, the foundation looks at pollen levels, use of allergy medication, and the number of accessible board-certified allergists.
Spring allergies causing problems may come as a surprise to those living in parts of the country still firmly in the grasp of winter weather. However, the lingering of cold weather and the constant switch between warmer and cooler temperatures could actually make this allergy season worse.
“Allergy and asthma patients already have a chronic sensitivity to things like pollen, mold, and other airborne allergens, but they can also be more susceptible to rapid changes in temperature and moisture,” Dr. Clifford Bassett, an ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America said in a statement. “A blending of the winter and spring means these patients are at risk of multiple symptoms simultaneously.”
As an allergy sufferer, now is probably the best time to stock up on allergy medications and treatments.
Don’t wait until you’re sick and miserable to start treating your symptoms. Allergies aren’t something to “tough out.” If you’re experience tell-tale signs of allergies like congestions, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes, you may find relief by using a saline solution or other nasal spray.
For those who are hesitant to use medications, some yoga positions have been shown to provide allergy relief. Of course, avoid poses that may increase pressure in the airways and sinuses. However, yogic breathing and mild inversions could keep your symptoms from making you miserable.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, planning ahead and treating your symptoms early are the best way to find relief from allergy symptoms. So, do what you can to treat your seasonal allergies, and enjoy the beginning of spring!
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