Health News Dozen: Top 12 Allergy Capitals of America

Indoor and outdoor respiratory allergies affect more than 35 million Americans. If you don’t suffer from allergies, you likely know someone who does. And depending on the season of the year and the city in which you live, those sneezes and sniffles that accompany allergies could be more frequent than others.

For those unaffected by allergies, it might seem to be a minor problem, something that brings with it a few cold symptoms and goes away with the changing of the season. But those affected know that it is much more serious. Of the 35 million people affected by respiratory allergies, according to a Kelton research survey cited by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 50 percent of allergy sufferers in the U.S. along indicate that symptoms negatively affect their work. In addition, nearly 27 percent have missed an important event, and approximately 20 percent were prohibited from having a house pet because of those allergies.

Since many allergies are spurred by environment, such as the pollen concentrations in the air, the city in which one lives affects the severity and frequency of allergy symptoms. Most allergies become most severe in the fall, though springtime is particularly difficult for some. With the onset of fall, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation conducted its 2008 Fall Allergy Capitals™ list that ranks the 100 most challenging cities for people with upper respiratory allergies.

There were three primary factors used to rank the metropolitan areas surveyed for the scientific analysis: pollen scores, number of allergy medications used per patient, and number of allergy specialists per patient. This indicates that only people who have seen medical professionals for diagnosis and treatment of allergy symptoms were included in the survey, which means that many lower income people or those without insurance or access to health care professionals could boost the score of some cities even more.

Topping the list are the Carolinas, with Greensboro, North Carolina in the top spot, followed by Greenville, South Carolina and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina in fourth place. Nine of the top twelve cities are located in the Southeast section of the United States, which is likely due to an abundance of trees and plants in those areas of the country that boasts of more rural neighborhoods, as well as the higher humidity level in those cities.

Mike Tringale, Director of External Affairs at AAFA, noted the significance of the survey, “Whether a city is ranked number 100 on the Allergy Capitals list or number one, it’s essential for allergy sufferers to take the appropriate steps to manage their allergies. Allergy sufferers should know what allergens trigger their symptoms and, if appropriate, manage them by taking a medication like ZYRTEC® that can alleviate both outdoor and indoor allergies.” (Author note: ZYRTEC was the primary sponsor of the survey.)

Typically, allergies are a body’s natural reaction to allergens in the area, like ragweed and pollen, though many other factors trigger allergies as well. Dust mites and mold spores in the home, as well as pet dander, can dramatically affect a person’s allergy symptoms, which can include itchy eyes, nose or throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, and watery eyes.

In order to help control those symptoms, there are several things that can be done. Outdoor allergies can be mitigated, at least to some degree, by staying indoors when pollen counts, wind, and humidity are especially high, and when indoors or inside a vehicle, keep windows closed. After spending necessary time outdoors, showering is sometimes helpful.

To control indoor allergies, cleaning is the key. Washing bedding and towels often, dusting surfaces, vacuuming, and maintaining a clean air conditioning filter can alleviate symptoms. If the cleaning process increases symptoms, wear a mask when doing so. And if pets are a necessary part of the family but spur more allergy symptoms, keeping the furry friends out of the bedroom may help.

The best advice, by far, is to seek the consultation of a health care professional to properly diagnose one’s allergies. Medical advice will be key to controlling symptoms, even with medication if necessary, in order to maintain a more allergy-free existence.