As the leaves are changing so are the noses of more than 40 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Stuffiness, sneezing and wheezing has officially set in, and some areas of the country are much worse than others.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) recently announced its 2012 Fall Allergy Capitals with Louisville, KY coming in at No. 1. Other cities topped the previous year's rankings, with Baton Rouge, LA climbing 13 spots to the No.10 position.
"The warm temperatures and longer seasons have created the perfect environment for seasonal allergies, causing pollen counts to soar this fall season," says James Sublett, MD, a Louisville allergist and chair of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Indoor Environment Committee. "The fall allergy season peaked in September and is expected to linger until November."
According to Dr. Sublett, other environmental factors, such as Hurricane Isaac, caused some cities to be noted worse than others.
Dr. Sublett is available to discuss the 2012 Fall Allergy Capitals and the reasons why Louisville, KY came in at No.1. He can also explain how to reduce allergy symptoms and to properly rid allergens in the home.