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.

From California to Ontario, New York, and Florida, ragweed seems to have made it’s debut early and with a bumper crop this August.

Lansing, Michigan:
Worst summer for allergies in decades
“The pollen count is…the highest it’s been in fifty years…. Ragweed everywhere and no relief in sight.” [WLNS, Lansing]

Los Angeles, California
Bumper crop of ragweed kicks off allergy season
“Summer rains followed by hot, dry temperatures in many areas have produced a bumper crop of ragweed.” [NBC4, Los Angeles]

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Break out of the mold
“A particularly bad year for mold spores and an accelerating ragweed season are giving them itchy eyes and runny noses.” [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

Ontario, Canada
Achoo! Ragweed arrives early
“Ragweed has made her a prisoner in her own house…. ‘It was July 30 when it started and it hasn’t stopped.’” [Hamilton Spectator, Ontario Canada]

Washington, DC
Ragweed arrives early in district
“If you’re an allergy sufferer who is feeling a little off this morning in that allergy-related kind of way, you can thank ragweed season for arriving two weeks early.” [DCist, Washington, DC]

Little Rock, Arkansas
Heat, humidity fueling hay fever
“Doctors say an increase in pollen, ragweed, and mold is creating more cases of hay fever.” [Today’s THV, Little Rock, Arkansas]

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida
Ragweed season starting up for allergy sufferers
“Ragweed season is upon us…. And this year, people may suffer more than ever.” [WTSB, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida]

New York City, NY
Ways to cope with a brutal allergy season
“Allergy sufferers, the early predictions are in and get ready for an especially brutal fall season.” [WABC-TV, New York]

Growing up in Michigan I never experienced allergy symptoms. In 1989, I moved to St. Petersburg, Florida and immediately began experiencing asthma. Because I am more of a summer person than winter, I have stuck it out in Florida. I have taken allegy shots for six years and am on Advair & Spiriva daily. However, at sunrise and sunset, I experience tightness of the chest, wheezing and general fatigue. This phenmoena is exacerbated by exercise (the more strenuous the more severe the reaction) the prior day.

Interestingly, I have made several trips to Atlanta, GA. This locale is pruportedly one of the worst areas for asthma sufferers. However, I feel fine there, even during the spring pollen season. I am contemplating a move there to exeprience a better quality of life. — Bradley, Florida

I grew up in NE Ohio and had hay fever every Fall.

I moved to Daytona Beach, Florida for college and never had any allergies, except for 2 bouts of exercise-induced asthma.

Nine years later I moved to Savannah, Georgia and never had a problem at all.

Next I took a job in Michigan and have never been so miserable in my life. I lived around several lakes and unless the ground was frozen outside I was completely miserable with severe hay fever. Claritin-D helped but while I was pregnant I could not take it and I wasn’t sure what was worse for the fetus; sneezing convulsively 5 million times a day or taking a pill.

Now we have moved back to NE Ohio, and while the allergies are less severe, I now have allergies through the winter as well. They hit me every evening and I rub my eyes raw. I still take Claritin D but it isn’t that effective. I am going to an allergist next week to see what I am allergic to.

We are planning a move back to Florida next year. I hope that I can escape my severe allergies there as I did before. — C.D.T., Ohio

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on April 13, 2004]

I moved from Redlands,Ca. to Destin, Florida (panhandle) 5 years ago. I was fine for the first couple of years but in the past three have been simply miserable. Comes and goes all year leading me to believe its a mold or spore thing. Claritin D and Rhinocort are only a thin veiled shield against whatever is getting me. I’ll go home to Michigan and in a day or two feel awesome. The burning eyes, stomach pains, complete lethargy, depression, and just plain meanness are gone and return with a vengeance within a day of getting back home to Florida. It’s so bad I am leaving Florida (sold our house and will be moving north in a month or so).

I’m a very fit 37 year old male with literally no other health problems - this has been so depressing battling an unseen enemy for so long.

Can’t wait to get out of here - if you have slight allergies - never move to Florida they will rage on high. — R.C.B., Florida

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on March 10, 2004]

I grew up in Michigan - where my allergies/asthma begun around 8 yrs. old and it stayed semi-severe into my teens.

I moved to Houston, Texas in my 20’s, where I rarely had any symptoms the whole 8 yrs. I lived there.

I then joined the Navy, which moved me to Whidbey Island, Washington, where I had a few problems the 5 yrs. that I had lived there.

I now live near Portland, Oregon and I usually have mild asthma symptoms throughout the year - I use my inhaler frequently. I’m allergic to mold, pollen, grass, weeds, trees. Of course, there’s lots of mold here - due to all of the rain. — Marie, Oregon

[Originally posted to AllergyNursing.com on May 18, 2003]