I have had similar situations with many of the other people on this website concerning allergies. I grew up in NY and had mild allergies and asthma (mostly exercised induced) when I was younger. I moved back to NY after being gone for almost 8 years. I was diagnosed with sinusitis in the fall of 2004 while I was living in Pennsylvania. After a few months of moving back to NY I began to get sinus infections every two months. Then I was diagnosed with chronic sinusitis.

I have seen numerous ENT doctors who all recommend surgery to remove the polyps from my nose. I would rather not have the surgery. I have been put on all types of allergy medication. After vacationing in a tropical area for an extended period of time, the polyps in my left nose completely disappeared. However, my right nostril is still filled with polyps.

My ENT and Allergist suggested that I leave NY because they believe that my sickness could be tied to my environment and/or they recommend allergy shots. What other areas would be a better place for me to live? Will I just develop new allergies to the new place after a few months? Any suggestions of advice would be appreciated. Thank you. — L.J., New York

In 1996 and 1997, we posted info about the ten worst US cities for asthma sufferers as released by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Often people ask “Where are the best places?” Sperling’s Best Places, in conjunction with Schering-Plough Corporation, has released it’s study of the ten best and worst places to live with allergies. Thanks to Lewis who provided the link and shared more comments about this here at Allergy Climates.

Topping the list of best places, according to the Sperling study, is Grand Rapids, MI. Louisville, KY, ranks worst. The AAFA study, which ranks Asthma (as opposed to the Sperling study which ranks Allergies) lists Atlanta, GA, as the worst US city to live in.

Sterling also seems to support what we’ve often pointed out here at Allergy Climates, that there is no safe-haven for allergy sufferers. Schering-Plough writes:
“A key finding of this study is that there is no geographic center for allergies…no part of the country is immune to their effects.”

The Sterling study is based on mean pollen and mold spore levels for the years 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999, while the AAFA does the studies annually. The AAFA study also takes into consideration air pollution. Air pollution and smog, especially ozone, are now believed to play an important role as triggers for asthma and allergy.