Did you know that according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), one of
the nation’s leading allergy patient organizations, Oklahoma and Tulsa rank among this year’s
top 10 most challenging places to live for those with seasonal allergies?

As the weather cools and leaves change color, irritants like ragweed and mold are on the rise. If
you’re going out of town for fall break or the upcoming holidays, you’ll need to take these factors
into account before your trip.

In our recap of the AAFA’s 2024 report, we’ll help you learn how to prevent runny noses and itchy
eyes from ruining your plans.

What Is an Allergy Capital?

The AAFA's annual Allergy Capitals™ report looks at the United States’ 100 most-populated U.S.
metropolitan areas and ranks the 10 most allergy-affected cities. Each city is ranked based on a
few key factors including pollen levels, use of over-the-counter allergy medicine and the
availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists within the area.

This list can be used by residents of these capitals to better prepare for seasonal shifts and
inform travelers of any health considerations before visiting

Top 10 National Allergy Capitals™ in 2024

Below, is a breakdown of the report’s top 10 Allergy Capitals™ of the year. Where does your
hometown or seasonal destination rank?

10 — Fayetteville, Arkansas

If you live in Fayetteville, you’re probably no stranger to antihistamines. This is the first year the
city ranks tenth on the list, mainly because of the area’s high use of over-the-counter medicines
and rapidly-growing population.

With pollen counts and the number of licensed specialists falling within the national average
range, many residents experience frequent allergy symptoms but are able to manage them on
their own.

9 — Raleigh, North Carolina

In Raleigh, the fall pollen count falls within the national average, but there are fewer specialists
in the area to treat those with symptoms. Medicine use is also in the higher-than-average range,
meaning that residents here are largely dealing with asthma and allergies on their own.

Ragweed is especially rampant in Raleigh, and experts recommend continuing to take
over-the-counter medications and avoiding too much outdoor activity during days with high
pollen counts.

8 —Des Moines, Iowa

While pollen and medicine use are both in the average zone, Des Moines is lacking in its number
of licensed specialists in comparison to its population.

As in other areas, ragweed pollen is the prime culprit of fall allergies, closely followed by mold
and mildew. Longer fall seasons and warmer winters in Des Moines have led to more intense fall
seasons.

7 —Richmond, Virginia

Tree, weed and grass pollen are all major irritants during the fall in Richmond. Although the city
is home to more specialists than the national average, consistently bothersome pollen counts
result in the high use of medicines.

Allergies in Richmond are usually the most severe in the spring months. However, pollinating
plants continue to cause issues throughout the fall until around the end of November when the
temperature becomes colder.

6 —Tulsa, Oklahoma

The first of two Allergy Capitals™ in our home state, Tulsa, experiences both high levels of pollen
and medicine use. In addition to plants like ragweed and sagebrush, cedar tree pollen is also a main
offender of fall allergies in the eastern part of the state.

The warm and windy weather of this area tends to dry out the landscape, encouraging pollen
dispersal and elevating the day-to-day pollen levels.

5 —Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The second Oklahoman Allergy Capital™, OKC, slightly outranks Tulsa and is a notorious hotspot
for seasonal allergy and asthma symptoms. Ragweed, cedar, grass and mold are the leading
contributors to its above-average pollen level and medicine use.

With fewer-than-average licensed specialists in the OKC Metro Area, OAAC’s role in providing
quality services to asthma and allergy patients is as crucial as ever.

4 —Dallas, Texas

Dallas ranks fourth on this list with worse-than-average weed pollen in the fall. The city’s
frequent changes in weather and increased rain during the season can cause certain plants to
release more pollen, leading to worsening allergies.

While Dallas typically has good air quality all year, humidity in the fall seasons can cause
pollutants from local power plants to accumulate. This further irritates the lungs and intensifies
allergy and asthma symptoms.

3 — Greenville, South Carolina

Fall allergies in South Carolina are caused by ragweed, sagebrush, marsh elder and Russian
thistle. The pollen from these plants starts to trend upward in mid-August, sometimes lasting
into late November.

Greenville residents should also be on the lookout for field mustard and wormwood pollen
levels, as these plants are especially common in the area and can also cause irritation.

2 — Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach’s coastal location provides the right climate for marsh elder and other pollinating
shrubs to grow along its watery sea shores during the fall months. With residents and visitors
spending an abundance of time outdoors enjoying the area’s temperate weather and natural
beauty, the use of allergy medicine falls well above the national average.

1 — Wichita, Kansas

Topping the chart with an index score of 100 based on the AAFA’s criteria, Wichita sees high use
of over-the-counter medications with a lack of licensed allergists per capita.

The city regularly experiences high levels of tree, grass and weed pollen and consistently ranks
within the Top 10 Allergy Capitals™. This is largely due to the open plains and large pastures that
surround Wichita. Another contributing factor is the smoke produced by nearby farmers and
ranchers' frequent burning of fields, which is driven into the city by the state’s infamously strong
winds.

Managing Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergies can sometimes feel like too much to manage, but there are some easy things
you can do now to keep your symptoms under control.

The most common culprit for fall allergies is weed pollen, with ragweed being the worst
offender. These particles cause itchy and watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose, coughing and
sneezing. Ways to manage these symptoms include keeping windows closed, taking
over-the-counter medications and monitoring pollen counts.

Learn more about how to manage seasonal allergy symptoms in our blog covering this topic.

Getting Tested for Allergies

Do any of the seasonal allergy symptoms we’ve described sound familiar to you? If you live in
OKC, Tulsa or one of the AAFA’s other Allergy Capitals™, you might want to get yourself checked
so that you know what your allergy triggers are and how to treat them.

Make an appointment today to get reliable diagnostic services from board-certified allergists in
Oklahoma and keep an eye on the daily statewide allergy report on our website to manage your
symptoms.