This New England City is the Best in the U.S for Allergies

For those who suffer from seasonal allergies, I have heard that these last few Springs have been an absolute doozy. Love is in the air and by love I mean pollen. When you can see it covering your car like a blanket of fresh snow, you know it's going to be a sneezy day.

What makes some years worse than others when it comes to pollen count?

High pollen count can happen due to a multitude of factors including:

Mild Winters

• Warmer winters can lead to an earlier and longer pollen season, especially for trees. Trees may start blooming weeks earlier than usual, which extends exposure. That makes sense to me!

2. Dry, Windy Weather

• Pollen spreads more easily when it’s dry and windy. Rain helps wash pollen out of the air, so drier springs often mean higher airborne pollen levels. You would think since we have had the rainiest April and beginning of May in the history of the world (not actually, but it certainly feels like it) that we wouldn't be having such a pollen filled Spring!

3. Climate Change

• Climate change also causes longer growing seasons, further increasing the overall pollen burden.

Read More: Train Depot in Barnstead, New Hampshire, Transformed into Unique Vacation Destination

4. Previous Year's Weather

• The weather in the prior year affects how much pollen plants will produce.

• A wet spring and summer can lead to lush plant growth, which means more potential pollen the next year.

• Droughts might reduce pollen production temporarily, but followed by a rainy season, can cause a rebound.

5. Local Vegetation and Urban Planning

• More trees and plants that produce allergenic pollen, especially in urban areas with “male” trees (which produce pollen but no fruit), can make a big difference.

If you didn't know, May is allergy awareness month so happy holidays to all those who celebrate! Buy a pack of Zyrtec for those you hold  near and dear.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation ranked the top 100 cities in America based on how much coughing, sneezing, and wheezing they can cause.

They based their list on three main categories:

• Pollen counts
• Sales of allergy meds
• How easy it is to get an appointment with an allergy specialist

That last one might be more of a population/staffing issue but the other factors feel legitimate!

According to their findings the most challenging state for allergies is Wichita, Kansas. The best city for allergies is apparently Boston, Massachusetts!

This is because pollen counts are typically lower, and it's fairly easy to see a doctor. So if you are dealing with itchy eyeballs and sneeze attacks in Boston or the neighboring suburbs, just know that there are 99 cities in the U.S that have it far worse than you!

Good luck my fellow allergy warriors. We will survive this Spring together!