Jackson, Mississippi, is predicted to be the worst city in the nation for spring allergies this year.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), it's going to be an especially bad spring allergy season everywhere, but if you live in the South, it might be even worse for you. Six out of the top 10 cities ranked as the worst for spring allergies in AAFA's new list are located in the South, while two are in states that can either be called the South or the Midwest (Oklahoma and Kansas).
More than 45 million Americans suffer from pollen or grass allergies, which are aggravated during the spring season. These people can expect an especially bad allergy season this year, as the spring release of pollen has been delayed by cold weather, meaning that spring allergies will mingle with early-summer allergies.
Moreover, climate change is leading to several key developments that are making pollen allergies more potent than ever. The pollen season is becoming longer, and the increase in carbon dioxide in the air is leading plants to release more pollen than ever. What's more, the greenhouse gases that are building up in the atmosphere can lead to "super-charged" pollen, with bigger and more potent molecules than ever before.
Here are the top 10 worst cities for allergies this year. The list was compiled using pollen counts for each metro area, the availability of allergists in the area and allergy medication use rates.
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- McAllen, Texas
- Wichita, Kansas
- Dayton, Ohio
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Richmond, Virginia
If you live in any of these cities, your best defense may be investing in a HEPA air purifier to keep your home free of allergens. For help finding the best air purifier for allergies, contact US Air Purifiers today.