The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has brought out a list of places that are more likely to affect people who harbor spring allergies. Health experts say that the 2006 spring allergy season will be much more challenging to allergic people since much of the country is experiencing a mild winter.
Hartford, Conn. has been adjudged as the allergy capital this season. The AAFA said that it Hartford had the highest spring pollen levels and patient medication usage besides having a relatively low number of board certified allergists to take care of the problems.
The foundation has listed 38 states and well as Washington DC by the level of allergens perceived to be found there. "The ranking shows that there really is no place safe from allergies this season and you need to manage your allergies no matter where you live," Matthew Clarke, MD said in a press release.
"Even if you think you know the cause of your allergy symptoms, a visit to the doctor is the best way to receive a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatments." Mike Tringale, Director of Communications for AAFA said that people should take adequate steps to ensure that they did not fall prey to allergies this season, "The Allergy Capital ranking is a great tool to help increase awareness about what allergy sufferers can do to avoid allergy triggers and actually enjoy the spring season," he added.
Dr. Sheldon L. Spector, who is the chairman of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology said that allergic asthma was one of the most common conditions to affect people, "Asthma is considered allergic when symptoms become more intense, perhaps resulting in an asthma attack, when the individual is exposed to allergens to which their immune system is sensitive," he added in a statement.
The academy estimates that 40 million to 50 million Americans are prone to suffer from allergies.
The top ten allergy capitals are:
1. Hartford, CT
2. Greenville, SC
3. Boston, MA
4. Detroit, MI
5. Orlando, FL
6. Knoxville, TN
7. Omaha, NE
8. Sacramento, CA
9. Washington, DC
10. Baltimore, MD
