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allergies? These are the 20 worst US cities to vacation in (and you might want to rethink that Florida trip)

If you’ve been planning a spring break to Miami or Orlando but have allergies, you may want to reconsider the trip.

The Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America has identified the 20 cities in the country with the worst pollen counts – seven of them in Florida alone.

Experts warn that a milder winter could make allergy season particularly brutal this year.

The map above shows the 20 worst places to live or vacation in the United States if you have a pollen allergy. About 17 of the 20 are in the South, with Florida having the most in seven of the 20 hotspots. Experts have warned that the state’s mild weather throughout the year is to blame

The chart above compares grass pollen counts in Wichita, Kansas, which was named the worst place in the US to have a pollen allergy.  At the other end of the scale, Seattle, Washington is in the top five for pollen allergy sufferers.  America's 100 most populous cities are ranked by pollen count, over-the-counter allergy medications available, and the number of allergy specialists in each state

The chart above compares grass pollen counts in Wichita, Kansas, which was named the worst place in the US to have a pollen allergy. At the other end of the scale, Seattle, Washington is in the top five for pollen allergy sufferers. America’s 100 most populous cities are ranked by pollen count, over-the-counter allergy medications available, and the number of allergy specialists in each state

Kenneth Mendez, the president of the AAFA, which published the rankings in its annual report, warned: “We are seeing longer and more intense allergy seasons as a result of climate change.

“If we do not act immediately on the climate crisis, pollen production will only increase.

“This means more allergies and asthma attacks and extra pressure on our healthcare systems.”

For its report, AAFA analyzed data from America’s 100 most populous cities.

Each is ranked based on five factors: tree, grass and weed pollen levels, over-the-counter allergy medications and the number of allergy specialists in the area in the past year.

READ MORE: Here’s how three experts can help you control the pollen rush

DailyMail.com spoke to three experts about how to protect yourself from the earlier pollen onslaught.

They were assigned a score from 0 to 100, with a higher score indicating a weaker season.

Topping the list was Wichita, Kansas, one of only two cities in the Midwest with the 20 allergy hotspots.

The top five were Dallas, Texas, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, also in Oklahoma.

The AAFA told DailyMail.com that they put Wichita at the top of the list because it has very high tree and grass pollen counts and above average allergy drug use.

There are also a limited number of allergy specialists in the state, he added.

Seven of the 20 worst allergy hotspots are in Florida, with Sarasota, Cape Coral and Orlando topping the list.

The researchers said this is due to the state’s year-round warm climate, which causes plants to constantly release pollen.

The state has previously been described as having one of the “strongest and longest” allergy seasons in the US.

However, at the other end of the scale, the AAFA rankings also showed which cities are best suited for a vacation for allergy sufferers.

Buffalo, New York, just 20 miles from the famous Niagra Falls, has been highlighted as the best place for pollen allergy sufferers.

Seattle in Washington, Cleveland in Ohio, Austin in Texas and Akron in Ohio followed.

In the top 20, the Midwest had the most states, with seven of the top spots for allergy sufferers. It was located in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana.

Researchers have suggested that colder winters keep the region’s pollen season shorter. Wet weather can also help, as it will help remove pollen grains from the air.

Austin faces allergy season fueled by the infamous mountain cedar, which sheds pollen from December to February, but compared to the national average, it has a lower percentage of people with allergies.

The AAFA report excludes Alaska and Hawaii because they have few areas to count pollen counts.

The map above shows the leaf index across America through March 7, 2023. Red color indicates earlier than normal bloom, while blue indicates later than normal bloom.  Data shows it is earlier than normal in the southeast and mid-Atlantic

The map above shows the leaf index across America through March 7, 2023. Red color indicates earlier than normal bloom, while blue indicates later than normal bloom. Data shows it is earlier than normal in the southeast and mid-Atlantic

It is estimated that up to 67 million Americans have a pollen allergy, including 14 million children.

About 25 million people also have asthma, which can be caused or worsened by the release of pollen into the air.

But these numbers are expected to continue to increase in the coming years. It is not clear what is causing the levels to rise, but some have suggested that more people living in sanitized environments may be behind it.

A pollen allergy is when the immune system overreacts to the substance and launches an attack believing it to be a threat.

This can lead to shortness of breath, runny nose and swollen eyes.

But in severe cases – including asthma – it can lead to tighter muscles lining the airways and the production of mucus, making it harder to breathe.

Most people are only allergic to a certain type of pollen, which means that their allergy is only triggered at a certain time of the year.

Trees are the first to release pollen from February to early summer, followed by grasses from April to early June and weeds from late summer to fall.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common but incurable condition that affects the small tubes in the lungs.

This can cause them to become inflamed or swollen, narrowing the airways and making it difficult to breathe.

The condition affects people of all ages and often begins in childhood. Symptoms may improve or even disappear as children get older, but may recur in adulthood.

Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing, which can worsen during an asthma attack.

Treatment usually involves inhaled medication to calm the lungs.

The disease is caused by allergies, dust, air pollution, exercise and infections such as colds or flu.

If you think you or your child may have asthma, you should see a doctor, as it can develop into more serious complications such as fatigue or lung infections.

Source: GGZ

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