Worst Cities for Allergy Sufferers

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Hi All:

I found this on WebMD and thought it might interest

those of you that suffer from allergies along with

chronic pain.

Tina

winphal@...

Worst Cities for Allergy Sufferers

Southern Cities Top the List

By Warner

WebMD Medical News

April 5, 2002 -- Where you live may determine just how

miserable your allergies are this season. A new report

ranks the top 25 worst American cities for spring

allergies.

The warm, humid climate of Tampa, Fla., put it at the

top of the list, followed by Louisville, Ky., and

Orlando, Fla. In fact, southern cities dominate the

top 25, with 17 cities making the list. The list is

based on the frequency of spring culprits, such as

grass and tree pollen, in each city.

For the 40 million Americans who suffer from

allergies, this year's mild winter and warm spring

mean spring allergy season is in full bloom.

Experts say the best way to avoid the runny nose and

watery eyes caused by allergies is to avoid exposure

to allergy triggers. That means your should limit time

outdoors when pollen counts are high, keep your car

windows rolled up when driving, and use the air

conditioner instead, and avoid walking in parks or

woods when trees are blooming.

But if you do suffer from allergies and want relief,

there are many prescription allergy medications now

available from your doctor, such as antihistamines,

decongestants, and nasal sprays containing strong

inflammation fighters called " corticosteroids. "

Although some of these medications have been available

for years, many people don't know about them or don't

believe they work. A new poll conducted by

Interactive on behalf of GlaxoKline found that

only 28% of Americans believe prescription nasal

sprays are effective for treating nasal allergies.

That's despite the fact that these medications have

been proven effective and work by relieving nasal

inflammation directly at the source.

Here are the rest of the top 25 worst spring allergy

cities:

1. Tampa, Fla.

2. Louisville, Ky.

3. Orlando, Fla.

4. Rochester, N.Y.

5. Greensboro, Ky.

6. San Francisco

7. Las Vegas

8. Austin, Texas

9. Little Rock, Ark.

10. Savannah, Ga.

11. Dallas

12. Wilmington, Del.

13. Greenville, S.C.

14. ton, W.Va.

15. Seattle

16. Cincinnati

17. Tulsa, Okla.

18. Indianapolis

19. Charlotte, N.C.

20. Knoxville, Tenn.

21. Nashville, Tenn.

22. Dayton, Ohio

23. Lubbock, Texas

24. St. Louis

25. Washington

Medically Reviewed

By , MD

© 2002 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

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