Allergy season is earlier and stronger than expected.
More than 80 million Americans deal with itchy eyes, runny nose and other symptoms of seasonal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
The Foundation issues an annual ranking of the most challenging cities to live in if you have allergies, based on over-the-counter medicine use, pollen counts and the number of available allergy specialists.
Here are the top cities for 2024:
1. Wichita
2. Virginia Beach, Virginia
3. Greenville, South Carolina
4. Dallas
5. Oklahoma City
6. Tulsa
7. Richmond, Virginia
8. Des Moines
Experts say climate change has led to longer and more intense allergy seasons. The level of misery people will face depends on where they live and what they’re allergic to, but there are things people can do to feel better.
There are three main types of pollen that cause seasonal allergies: tree pollen in early spring, followed by grasses then weeds in the late summer and early fall.
Some of the most common tree pollens that cause allergies include birch, cedar, cottonwood, maple, elm, oak and walnut, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Grasses that cause symptoms include Bermuda, Johnson, rye and Kentucky bluegrass.