Fall Allergy Capitals: 2013's Worst Places To Live In The U.S.

The Worst Places To Live For Fall Allergies

This fall, some cities are in for a sneezier season than others. Northeast states can expect an average allergy season, but residents of the Southeast and Midwest are expected to face a bit more trouble, according to Accuweather, thanks to a perfect balance of summer sun, rain and heat.

The ranking are based on three calculations: pollen levels, allergy medicine use and the number of certified allergists in the area. Each city was scaled and assigned a score, with a perfect 100 going to the worst city, Wichita, Kansas, up from No. 2 in the rankings last year.

Ragweed is typically the biggest trigger of fall sniffles and sneezes, but outdoor mold growing from Superstorm Sandy may cause a particular problem this year, according to the AAFA. High winds from what is predicted to be an above-average hurricane season may also spread mold and pollen wider than is typical.

So who should worry? Find out if your hometown was named one of this fall's top 20 allergy capitals below. Then click over to AllergyCapitals.com for the full list.

20
Toledo, Ohio
Rank Last Year: #24

With worse than average pollen levels and medicine use and average number of local allergists, Toledo earned a score of 75.59.
19
Detroit, Michigan
Rank Last Year: #28

Detroit has average pollen levels, but worse than average medicine use and access to allergists, for a total score of 76.27.
18
Dallas, Texas
Rank Last Year: #26

Dallas, with worse than average scores across the board, totaled up to 76.63.
17
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Alamy
Rank Last Year: #18

Grand Rapids earned a score of 76.88, with worse than average pollen levels and medicine use and average allergist access.
16
Buffalo, New York
Rank Last Year: #12

At 77.10, Buffalo scored better than average for number of allergists in the area, but worse than average on pollen levels and medicine use.
15
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Flickr: sarcher35
Rank Last Year: #19

Tulsa, clocking in at 77.50, earned worse than average scores on pollen level and medicine use, and an average score for number of local allergists.
14
Little Rock, Arkansas
Alamy: Wesley Hitt
Rank Last Year: #16

Little Rock has a better than average score for number of allergists, but worse than average pollen levels and medicine use too. It earned a score of 80.02.
13
Omaha, Nebraska
Rank Last Year: #22

The same is true for Omaha, which made one of the largest jumps toward the top of the ranks this year, with a total score of 82.64.
12
Madison, Wisconsin
Alamy: David R. Frazier Photolibrary, Inc.
Rank Last Year: #9

Madison also has a better than average score for number of allergists, but worse than average pollen levels and medicine use, for a total of 83.67.
11
New Orleans, Louisiana
Shutterstock
Rank Last Year: #13

The same goes for New Orleans, which earned a total score of 84.54.
10
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
AP
Rank Last Year: #7

Oklahoma City is the same boat, for a total score of 85.65.
9
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Flickr: Paul Lowry
Rank Last Year: #11

Chattanooga earned a better than average score for number of allergists, but worse than average pollen levels and medicine use, for a total score of 85.76.
8
Dayton, Ohio
Flickr: Ohio Urban Development
Rank Last Year: #6

Dayton, at 86.91, has worse than average marks across the board.
7
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Alamy
Rank Last Year: #10

Baton Rouge earned a score of 87.87 with worse than average pollen levels and medicine use and better than average local allergists.
6
McAllen, Texas
Flickr: Antanith
Rank Last Year: #5

McAllen, with a score of 88.37, has worse than average marks across the board.
5
Memphis, Tennessee
Alamy: Vespasian
Rank Last Year: #8

With a total score of 88.72, Memphis has worse than average pollen levels and medicine use and an average number of allergists.
4
Louisville, Kentucky
Alamy: Daniel Dempster Photography
Rank Last Year: #1

Last year's worst hotspot has made some improvements, dropping to 89.12 with a better than average score for certified allergists.
3
Knoxville, Tennessee
Flickr: Joelk75
Rank Last Year: #3

At 94.32, Knoxville has better than average access to allergists, but worse than average medicine use and pollen levels.
2
Jackson, Mississippi
Alamy: Henryk Sadura
Rank Last Year: #4

Despite a better than average number of allergists in the area, Jackson was assigned a total score of 96.44.
1
Wichita, Kansas
Flickr: ConnieFoggles
Rank Last Year: #2

Wichita takes the cake with worse than average pollen score and medicine use, and an average number of local allergists.

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