Looking at allergy rates by region, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found the 10 worst cities for spring allergies in the United States.

10 Worst Cities For Spring Allergies

1. Richmond, Virginia
2. Scranton, Pennsylvania
3. Springfield, Massachusetts
4. Hartford, Connecticut
5. McAllen, Texas
6. New Haven, Connecticut
7. San Antonio, Texas
8. Bridgeport, Connecticut
9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Allergies and COVID-19

As symptoms like congestion and runny nose pop up this spring, it’s important to understand the difference between allergies and COVID-19.

COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.

Allergies are different in some crucial ways, the main one being that they’re rarely associated with a fever. Instead, the most common allergy symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, dry cough, and itching.

Allergies and Masking

The CDC recommends everyone over the age of two, including allergy sufferers, wear a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19. The only exceptions are for individuals with breathing problems, or those who are unconscious or incapacitated and would need assistance removing a mask.

Masks can also offer mild protection against spring allergies by keeping larger particles from being inhaled. So, you may benefit from wearing a mask outdoors if you’re engaging in an activity that stirs up pollen.

Be sure to wash cloth masks after each use, especially when worn outside on a day with a high pollen count.

10 Worst Cities for Spring Allergies Management Tips

Keep these factors in mind as you try to reduce spring allergy symptoms whether or not you’re in the 10 worst cities for spring allergies:

• Monitor allergy and pollen levels
• Stay indoors in a clean air environment on dry, windy days
• Save outside activities for after a rainfall when the pollen will be cleared from the air
• Ask friends or family members who don’t suffer from allergies to help out with lawn mowing, weed pulling, and other outdoor chores that can stir up allergens
• Remove clothes worn outside, and shower to rinse your skin and hair
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen
• Wash sheets in hot water to get rid of dust mites
• Don’t dry laundry outside as pollen can stick to sheets and towels, and be carried into your home
• To remove pollen, mold, and other particles from the air in your home, install an AprilAire air filter in your HVAC system
• Keep your indoor air humidity between 40-60% with a humidity control system from AprilAire. This helps keep your lungs and nasal passages hydrated and can help filter out allergens from the air you breathe

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