(NEXSTAR) – With lower than per week earlier than the arrival of spring, allergy victims are bracing for the season, which can be particularly dangerous in 20 U.S. cities, in accordance with an Bronchial asthma and Allergy Basis of America (AAFA) report launched Tuesday.
These “allergy capitals” are situated largely within the southern and japanese components of the nation, with Wichita, Kansas, taking the highest spot for the third yr in a row.
The AAFA’s 2025 Allergy Capitals research ranks the highest 100 cities based mostly on pollen scores for timber, grasses and weeds, together with over-the-counter remedy utilization and the variety of native allergy specialists.
Kenneth Mendez, CEO and president of AAFA, instructed Nexstar that there are possible environmental causes behind the outsized leaderboard presence of cities situated within the southeastern U.S.
“Bear in mind, we’re three issues throughout the pollen counts – that is timber, weeds and grasses,” Mendez mentioned. “So there’s three completely different seasons for that, and you discover all these sorts of pollen in that area.”
The cities projected to be probably the most unbearable in relation to seasonal allergy symptoms in 2025 are:
- Wichita, KS
- New Orleans, LA
- Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Tulsa, OK
- Memphis, TN
- Little Rock, AR
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Greenville, SC
- Greensboro, NC
- Virginia Seashore, VA
- Augusta, GA
- Dallas, TX
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Knoxville, TN
- Charlotte, NC
- Scranton, PA
- Jacksonville, FL
You possibly can see the total checklist of 100 cities on the Bronchial asthma and Allergy Basis of America web site.
What’s completely different in 2025?
Eight California cities made dramatic jumps up the rating, due to a “grass and weed pollen explosion” the AAFA says was worsened by moist climate in 2024 that fed plant progress.
| Metropolitan Space | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | Motive for the Change |
| Sacramento, CA | 23 | 94 | A lot greater grass pollen, greater weed pollen |
| Bakersfield, CA | 21 | 91 | A lot greater grass pollen, a lot greater weed |
| Stockton, CA | 24 | 93 | A lot greater grass pollen, greater weed pollen |
| San Jose, CA | 41 | 97 | A lot greater grass pollen, greater weed pollen |
| Fresno, CA | 28 | 78 | A lot greater weed pollen |
| Oxnard, CA | 33 | 75 | Increased grass pollen, a lot greater weed pollen |
| Los Angeles, CA | 51 | 85 | Increased grass pollen, a lot greater weed pollen |
| San Francisco, CA | 53 | 81 | Increased weed pollen |
New Orleans additionally made a dramatic soar from the thirty fourth spot final yr to second place in 2025.
In response to the 2025 Allergy Capitals report, New Orleans noticed a a lot greater weed pollen season, probably made worse by further water from Hurricane Francine, which made landfall on Sept. 11, 2024, as a Class 2 storm.
The timing occurred to coincide with the autumn weed pollen season, in accordance with the report, which was adopted by abnormally heat temperatures that stretched the rising season.
Why the allergy season is rising longer
Pollen, the superb powder produced by crops as a part of the copy course of, is extra considerable in heat climate, and consultants say the season is just getting longer as our local weather warms.
A research cited by the Nationwide Institute of Environmental Well being Providers discovered that the northern U.S. pollen season lengthened by as a lot as 13 to 27 days between 1995 and 2009.
“Some components of the USA now expertise pollen (tree, grass or weed) year-round,” in accordance with the AAFA report. “Hotter temperatures additionally entice warmth in city areas, rising air air pollution and stimulating pollen manufacturing.”
Whereas pollen causes a sure degree of distress in all allergy victims, the season could be harmful, even probably life-threatening for some.
“There’s one thing known as allergic bronchial asthma, which is bronchial asthma that is triggered by seasonal allergy symptoms,” Mendez mentioned. “What lots of people do not understand is that 10 folks die every day from bronchial asthma, so it is actually vital to have your allergy symptoms below management in case you have allergic bronchial asthma.”
In 2022, there have been 3,602 deaths brought on by bronchial asthma, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
The way to relieve allergy signs
The very first thing to determine is what particularly you’re allergic to, in accordance with Dr. Nana Mireku, an allergist within the Dallas-Fort Price space. Many People are allergic to a number of issues without delay; allergists can run assessments for various triggers.
Over-the-counter nasal sprays will help relieve signs, however they take some time to kick in, so it’s finest to start out them in early March, Shah mentioned.
Antihistamines are an alternative choice. Shah mentioned she’s seen some sufferers profit from switching to an analogous model if one stops working, however mentioned that there isn’t a lot broader information to again the advice.
For younger kids and individuals who must take many various allergy medicines, immunotherapies within the type of pictures and oral drops will help desensitize the immune system to allergens, treating signs at their root.
“We inform folks on a regular basis, perceive what your triggers are,” Mendez mentioned. “The one method you would perceive what your triggers are so you possibly can handle your allergy symptoms is to see a specialist.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
