With allergy season right around the corner, residents of 20 U.S. cities are bracing for what experts predict will be one of the worst pollen years on record. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Wichita, Kansas has been named the top "allergy capital" for the third consecutive year. This ranking was based on the AAFA’s 2025 Allergy Capitals report, which evaluates cities on several factors, including pollen scores for trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as local medication usage and available allergy specialists.
Wichita's distinction as the allergy capital reflects significant environmental influences, with much of the suffering attributed to the region's unique climate. Kenneth Mendez, the CEO and president of AAFA, explained, "Remember, we’re looking at three things within the pollen counts – that's trees, weeds and grasses. So there’s three different seasons for those, and you find all those types of pollen in this region." The AAFA ranked the top 100 cities, which also include New Orleans, Louisiana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Tulsa, Oklahoma, among others, highlighting the persistent allergy threats facing many Americans.
The full list of the projected most challenging cities for allergy sufferers includes:
- Wichita, KS
- New Orleans, LA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Tulsa, OK
- Memphis, TN
- Little Rock, AR
- Raleigh, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Greenville, SC
- Greensboro, NC
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Augusta, GA
- Dallas, TX
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Knoxville, TN
- Charlotte, NC
- Scranton, PA
- Jacksonville, FL
Interestingly, eight Californian cities have experienced drastic changes, making significant jumps up the rankings. This change is largely credited to what the AAFA refers to as a "grass and weed pollen explosion," exacerbated by heavy rains from 2024, which prompted increased plant growth. Some cities, such as Sacramento, California, saw their rank soar from 94 to 23 due to much higher grass and weed pollen levels.
New Orleans also made the leap from 34th to second place, largely because of the extensive weed pollen season, which was worsened by the rainfall from Hurricane Francine, which struck as a Category 2 storm on September 11, 2024. This significantly impacted the fall weed pollen season and contributed to warmer than average conditions extending the growing season.
The growing severity and length of pollen seasons can be primarily attributed to climate change. A study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Services revealed alarming findings: pollen seasons in the northern United States have lengthened by 13 to 27 days from 1995 to 2009. Mendez noted, “Some parts of the United States now experience pollen (tree, grass, or weed) year-round.” He also emphasized the repercussions: “What a lot of people don’t realize is the danger associated with allergic asthma. Ten people die each day from asthma, making it imperative to manage your allergies effectively.” This concern is echoed by statistics from the CDC, showing 3,602 asthma-related deaths reported in 2022.
For those suffering from allergies, relief may seem elusive, but there are options. Dr. Nana Mireku, an allergist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, suggests starting by identifying specific triggers. “Many Americans are allergic to multiple things,” she explained, underlining the importance of consulting with specialists who can run tests to determine precise allergens.
Over-the-counter options like nasal sprays can provide some relief, but patients are encouraged to start them early. Mendez advised, “We tell people all the time, understand what your triggers are.” Medications like antihistamines can also help; individuals may find different brands more effective depending on their contexts. For children and those requiring multiple allergy medications, immunotherapy—offered as shots or oral drops—can be beneficial by desensitizing the immune system.
Unfortunately, the forecast for pollen and allergies isn't optimistic. Specifically, residents of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were recently placed under notice for extreme pollen levels, expected to continue with little relief this week. On March 18, 2025, local weather reports indicated pollen levels would remain exceedingly high through March 19, before briefly dropping due to scattered showers expected on March 20. These showers, though anticipated, are not projected to bring significant relief—leaving allergy sufferers to wrestle with the constant annoyance of high pollen counts.
Moving forward, managing outdoor activity may be necessary as pollen counts rise. Temperatures this weekend are expected to reach the upper 60s to lower 70s, bringing welcoming warmth, but simultaneously threatening higher pollen counts, making outdoor plans potentially troublesome for many.
The relentless onslaught of pollen presents challenges for individuals and communities alike. It is increasingly clear, as allergies transform from mere discomfort to significant health concerns, proactive measures and awareness are needed now more than ever. Allergy sufferers must stay informed and prepared as the seasonal threat looms closer.
