Top 10 'allergy capitals' of the US, plus 4 tips to manage symptoms

Allergy season is upon us and it s bringing about specific of the worst cases yet Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns allow plants and trees to grow in places they didn t before according to the American Lung Association which means a rising pollen count and even new types of pollen The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America AAFA in recent weeks distributed its annual allergy assessment which identifies the bulk challenging cities for those living with seasonal allergies DRUG APPROVALS IN THAT HAD 'BIG CLINICAL IMPACT ' ACCORDING TO GOODRXThe summary focuses on tree grass and weed pollen counts throughout the year as well as over-the-counter allergy medicine use and the availability of board-certified allergists and immunologists The review named Wichita Kansas as the top allergy capital for the third year in a row largely due to its worse-than-average tree and grass pollen HONEY AND ALLERGY RELIEF DO THESE TWO REALLY GO TOGETHER New types of pollen and larger amounts of them can trigger allergy features for people even if they haven t previously suffered from them Dr Purvi Parikh who specializes in infectious sickness allergy and immunology at NYU Langone spoke with Fox News Digital about the best methods to keep allergies at bay as the seasons change For those who suffer from seasonal allergies Parikh recommends starting medications early One of the majority critical things that we recommend is to use a -hour antihistamine because they're longer-acting and can really help control responses she described Fox News Digital Eye drops and antihistamine nasal sprays can also help with itchy eyes and stuffy noses respectively HEART AFFECTION DEATH EXPOSURE RAISED BY COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS ANALYSIS FINDS The other critical thing to remember with over-the-counter medications is that if you're having breathing issues like coughing wheezing or chest tightness those are all signs that you might have asthma Parikh cautioned In that circumstance she recommends seeing a medicinal professional to make sure you re using the right medication When coming inside after spending time outdoors Parikh recommends changing clothes and taking a shower to wash off any pollen and decrease exposure Washing bedsheets once a week in warm water can also help limit exposure to allergens according to experts As the pollen count is highest in the mornings Parikh announced it's best to stay indoors early in the day Keep windows closed early in the morning for the same reason she advised OVER THE COUNTER REMEDIES TO HELP YOU BEAT SPRING ALLERGIESThe pollen count surges again in the late afternoon and early evening hours Different plants and trees release pollen at different times so indicators can vary depending on where you live according to the AAFA Trees generally produce the bulk pollen from February through April In several southern states however they can begin producing the allergen as early as December or January and peak at multiple times during the year the same source stated While stuffy noses and dry eyes are often chalked up to allergies Parikh noted that other factors could be at play CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR VITALITY NEWSLETTER Colds and viruses and allergies can have a lot of identical effects she stated Fox News Digital Allergies tend to last longer so if you feel like you're sick for the whole month of April and May it may be more likely that it's allergies For more Vitality articles visit www foxnews com healthThose who are unsure whether their reactions are due to allergies or illness should consult a specialist Parikh advised