Knoxville #2 worst city for allergies (Chattanooga, Louisville: 2009, insurance, high school)

[manyroads]

Allergy sufferers no doubt already know this, but Knoxville is no fun is you've got allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) just released its sixth annual ranking of allergy capitals, and this year Knoxville is #2 on the list (up from #6 last year), just behind #1 Louisville, KY and above #3 Charlotte, NC.
The rankings are based on pollen count, number of allergy medications used in a given area, and the number of allergy specialists available in the area. Here's a link to the article: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/...7764&Gt1=31036
Click on where it says "In Pictures" to see a slideshow of the top ten worst cities for allergies.
I know I've been suffering this spring with all the tree pollen we've got up here, yet New York didn't even make the top ten (go figure).
So, allergy sufferers, how bad is it for you in K'ville? Can you get through the season with OTC products and eye washes, or do you really need to see an allergist?

[hiknapster]

Hey! One year we were first so we must be improving!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by manyroads

Allergy sufferers no doubt already know this, but Knoxville is no fun is you've got allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) just released its sixth annual ranking of allergy capitals, and this year Knoxville is #2 on the list (up from #6 last year), just behind #1 Louisville, KY and above #3 Charlotte, NC.
The rankings are based on pollen count, number of allergy medications used in a given area, and the number of allergy specialists available in the area. Here's a link to the article: Worst Cities for Allergies - MSN Health & Fitness - Health Topics
Click on where it says "In Pictures" to see a slideshow of the top ten worst cities for allergies.
I know I've been suffering this spring with all the tree pollen we've got up here, yet New York didn't even make the top ten (go figure).
So, allergy sufferers, how bad is it for you in K'ville? Can you get through the season with OTC products and eye washes, or do you really need to see an allergist?

Depends on the person and their insurance.

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Hey! One year we were first so we must be improving!

LOL, we had enough sufferers move away so that helped with the vote.

[Kitties of Domination]

"Cities in the Southeast tend to rank high on the AAFA's list". 7 0r 8 of the 10 are in the south. It's not just Knoxville, its our region of the country. This would be like compiling a list of the most humid cities in the country and then being surprised that ALL of them are in the south.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by manyroads

Allergy sufferers no doubt already know this, but Knoxville is no fun is you've got allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) just released its sixth annual ranking of allergy capitals, and this year Knoxville is #2 on the list (up from #6 last year), just behind #1 Louisville, KY and above #3 Charlotte, NC.
The rankings are based on pollen count, number of allergy medications used in a given area, and the number of allergy specialists available in the area. Here's a link to the article: Worst Cities for Allergies - MSN Health & Fitness - Health Topics
Click on where it says "In Pictures" to see a slideshow of the top ten worst cities for allergies.
I know I've been suffering this spring with all the tree pollen we've got up here, yet New York didn't even make the top ten (go figure).
So, allergy sufferers, how bad is it for you in K'ville? Can you get through the season with OTC products and eye washes, or do you really need to see an allergist?

I just came back from Long Island and I can tell you I suffered with nasal congestion and red eyes the whole time I was there. I didn't feel all that swell on Maryland's Eastern shore, either, the following week. It was two straight weeks of Benadryl and Afrin. I have never had outdoor allergies except I'm allergic to something in Kansas City that makes me cry the whole time I'm outside. But, I'm also congested with red eyes in Tennessee this Spring although not half as bad as what I just experienced on Long Island and in Ocean City. I thought it might have something to do with all of the rain we've had as I didn't get like this last year and I have never had hay fever in my life. I guess it depends if Knoxville has a lot of what you are allergic, to. You know, for example, are the allergy problems car fumes/smog related or pollen related?

[ThatTNGuy]

I seem to be developing allergies after having none for the first 20 years of my life, so maybe there's something to this study.

[oldmanbob]

Me to, matthew, but mine I believe is from old age!

[supernerdgirl]

Tennessee made me develop allergies. I never was like this until I moved there when I was about 12. Things started getting really bad my senior year of high school when the fall allergies wound up giving me bronchitis. Unfortunately, I decided to go to school in Knoxville, which only made things worse. Now I have to pretty much take claritin year-round.

[ConceivedinKY51]

...I see on this list that Chattanooga isn't listed. Does anyone have any opinions/first hand experiences with Knoxville vs. Chattanooga allergy-wise??? Is Chattanooga just as pollen laden or less, etc.?

[manyroads]

Originally Posted by ConceivedinKY51

...I see on this list that Chattanooga isn't listed. Does anyone have any opinions/first hand experiences with Knoxville vs. Chattanooga allergy-wise??? Is Chattanooga just as pollen laden or less, etc.?

Here's a link to the complete list of 100 cities that I didn't include in my OP: http://aafa.org/pdfs/FINALpublic%20LIST2009.pdf

Chattanooga is # 17 on this year's list, up from #58 last year.