These are the 5 worst cities for allergies: map
(NEXSTAR) – If a walk in the park catapults you into bouts of sneezing, eye-rubbing and coughing, you're not alone.
Allergy season, which came early this year, is still in full swing with most of the nation forecast to have medium to high pollen levels entering the weekend, according to a map by researchers at IQVIA, the the healthcare analytics and research company that runs pollen.com.
The 5 U.S. cities with the highest pollen count forecasts were Grand Rapids, Michigan; Muskegon, Michigan; Flint, Michigan; South Bend, Indiana; and Lansing, Michigan.
IQVIA researchers create their forecasts comparing historical pollination timing with daily pollen counts, then factor in additional local conditions, such as weather. See more on how the forecast is created on the pollen.com website.
Other cities expected to punish allergy sufferers Saturday were Indianapolis (10.2); Hartford, Connecticut (10.2); Champaign, Illinois (9.8); and Erie, Pennsylvania (9.8). Cleveland was at 9.6, the very top of the medium-high range.
The main airborne culprit is tree pollen, which generally terrorizes allergy suffers from February through May, overlapping with grass pollen in late spring, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Earlier this year, the AAFA released a list of the 2024 Allergy Capitals in the U.S. naming Wichita, Kansas the worst city for allergy sufferers.
Finding relief from allergies
Before resigning yourself to weeks of misery, there are a few things you can do to make early spring bearable.
Perhaps the first thing to decide on is the right medication.
If antihistamines aren't working, you may want to try a nasal spray instead, according to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Allergy shots can also be highly effective against grass and pollen allergies, and can help control asthma, according to the ACAAI. Your doctor or an allergist can help you navigate the options.
Getting tested to find what you're allergic to can help you prevent exposure to environmental triggers, whether it's not petting a friend's dog or limiting outside time when certain pollen levels are spiking.
Reduce allergens inside the home
It can be hard to fight the urge to allow fresh air to waft through your house after months of winter stuffiness, but keep in mind that with that air comes pollen. It's more effective to keep the windows and doors closed while running the air conditioning for a little breeze.
For the allergens already in your home, cleaning or changing the air filter in the HVAC system can keep those sneeze-inducing particulates from circulating. Another option would be to buy a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air purifier for use in a single room.
Finally, when you come home don't forget to swap out of those potentially pollen-covered clothes for clean ones – better yet, take a shower before you do.