“Pollen is one of the most common allergens in America. Nearly 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from nasal allergies and as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children are affected. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.”
The AAFA released a list of the worst cities to live in when you suffer from spring allergies.2 The report uses pollen scores, allergy medication use and the number of board-certified allergists who practice in the area as some of the criteria to develop the list. The top five cities are:
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Syracuse, New York
- Louisville, Kentucky
- McAllen, Texas
Spring allergies or seasonal allergies are often referred to as hay fever and trigger symptoms irritating your sinuses, skin and eyes. Worldwide, seasonal allergies affect between 10 percent and 30 percent of the population.4 While most turn to antihistamines, nasal sprays, decongestants or allergy shots to address symptoms, these drugs offer only short-term relief as they suppress symptoms and sometimes have significant side effects.
Thus, they don’t address the underlying cause of your allergies. By taking a proactive approach and addressing the causes, you have a higher likelihood of getting through allergy season without resorting to medication.
Using a multipronged approach is the most effective way to treat allergies. Click to read the original article by Dr. Mercola
Sources:
“Spring Fever – How to Treat Allergies” by Dr. Mercola
