by Victoria Rose Perkins

Created on: June 16, 2009

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, identifies the "top 100 most challenging places to live in America", if you are one who suffers from spring or fall allergies this may be useful information for you. The largest concentrations of allegen offenders are primarly located in the Northeast and Southeastern parts of the country.

The supporting data was compiled by information collected from allergy specialists (amount of patient visits), pharmacies (allergy medication prescriptions) and pollen count scores based on grasses, weeds, molds and trees producing pollen spores which are airborne. The AAFA says they do see regional consistency from year to year. Another survey conducted by HealthDay News, factored in the amount of over-the-counter medications sold and agrees with the following list.

In the order of most challenging cities:

1. Lexington, KY

2. Greenbor, NC

3. Johnson City, Tenn.

4. Augusta, GA

5. Jackson, Miss.

6. Knoxville, Tenn.

7. Birmingham, AL

8. New Orleans, LA

9. Little Rock, ARK

10. San Diego, CA

Interestingly, San Diego was only added to the list in the last few years. According to Stephen Wasserman, Professor of Medicine at University of California at San Diego, he reports: "After massive fires in southern California, including much of San Diego county, as well as an average rainfall, many of the area's trees gave way to pollen-producing grasses and weeds."

In the USA, there are an incredible 1,200 spieces of grasses native to North America, but only a handful are the culprits. The following is a list for the Southeast and Northeast areas:

In the Northeast, from February to June, Birch, Maple, Oak and Pine trees bloom, these start the allergy season off. From May to late August, a variety of growing grasses continue the season along. From August to October, the biggest offenders are ragweed, cockelbur and pigweed. The allergy season stretches out because pollination does not occur all at the same time.

In the Southeastern part of the country, tree pollens come from Oak, Elm, Cottonwood, Box Elder, Walnut and Pecan Ash. The weeds include, ragweed, pig weed, marsh elder, yellow dock, sagebrush and tumbleweed. The season begins in March and runs through November. Only a good "killer frost" ends the allergy seasons for North and South.

A good rainstorm is an overall blessing to clean the area of pollen, temporarily. However, the very next day pollen counts begin to rise again. At its heaviest you only need to go outside and look at your car to see a yellowish accumulation of dust like particles. This comes from having the air cleansed by the rain.

In planning any summer vacations, it is recommended to take them around places where there are large bodies of water. The oceans or large lakes provide relief from airborne pollen spores.

A recent study was conducted in Lexington, Kentucky by an allergy specialist in that area. The results showed the 3rd most common disease in young children is allergies. It was not mentioned whether or not the study will be conducted nation-wide. Lexington, listed as the most challenging city to live in, allergey-speaking, may not be alone in its findings. In speculation, climate control may add to the problem as any climate changes producing colder weather may help, however, hot weather will aid the growth of these allergens. Studies are ongoing.

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