Studies have shown that some people who undergo allergy shots for pollen allergies will experience relief in oral allergy syndrome, Wood said, but at this point no one should get shots just for that reason, since they don't work on most people's food allergies.
These so-called allergy capitals are ranked based on pollen levels, use of allergy medications and the number of board-certified allergists in the areas, according to a foundation statement.
How will we survive longer, stronger allergy seasons and a pollen apocalypse?
While other kinds of food allergies present in the first two or three years of life, pollen allergies that contribute to oral allergy syndrome develop more slowly, Wood said, peaking in the teenage and young adult years.
The spring allergy capitals are based on tree pollen counts, while the fall cities are ranked on ragweed pollen counts from September through November of the previous years.
In 2008, Greensboro had higher-than-average pollen counts, its residents were taking more allergy medications, and the city didn't have enough allergists for its population, according to the report.
Taking medications before the pollen onslaught can help people get ready for the allergy season, Tringale said.
Experts have long known that high pollen counts cause sniffling, sneezing, and other nasal allergy symptoms.
Research presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in November suggests that pollen counts are going to get a lot worse in the next 30 years.
Giving small amounts of an allergen to modify the immune response is also the philosophy of allergy shots, which are commonly given for various kinds of pollen.
IgE can mistake harmless specks of pollen or dust as dangerous invaders and start biochemical chain reactions leading to nasty allergy or asthma attacks.
Not only is the pollen apocalypse on its way, three of the state's major cities made the Asthma and Allergy Foundation's annual list of the 10 worst places for spring allergy sufferers.
The cold snap could either delay the start of the allergy season, or give it a head start, depending on how close the trees are to releasing pollen.
Some states, like Georgia, may have less pollen after days of flooding rains, but the extra dampness is the perfect climate for mold, a major fall allergy, Dr. Piltch says.
应用推荐