Top 20 Worst U.S. Cities for Spring Allergies in 2026

• The Bronchial asthma and Allergy Basis of America (AAFA) has ranked the highest 20 worst cities for pollen allergic reactions in 2026.
• Allergy seasons are lasting longer and are extra intense resulting from local weather change, which may worsen allergy signs.
• Consultants supply suggestions for dealing with seasonal allergic reactions this spring and past.

You could really feel like your spring allergic reactions are worsening, starting earlier, or lasting longer. You’re not alone in feeling this manner.

“Allergy seasons are getting longer and worse on a regular basis, and I feel we are able to anticipate a rise in allergy-driven signs this spring and each spring going ahead,” stated Noah Greenspan, PT, DPT, board licensed medical specialist in cardiovascular and pulmonary bodily remedy, a number one knowledgeable in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, and the founding father of Pulmonary Wellness Complicated PT.

“Individuals naturally spend extra time open air, in nature, and different areas the place elevated warmth and humidity, larger prevalence of allergens, and due to this fact publicity to triggers, and compromised air high quality are extra widespread. As well as, we are able to anticipate that the affect of varied environmental triggers will fluctuate by geographic location and the traits of the exposures,” Greenspan advised Healthline.

Certainly, some areas of america expertise year-round pollen from bushes, weeds, and grasses.

The AAFA has ranked the highest “allergy capitals” within the contiguous (decrease 48) states by how troublesome it’s to reside there with pollen allergic reactions. Right here’s what you have to know to manage.

The AAFA has ranked the highest 100 allergy capitals in america for 2026.

The next are the highest 20 out of 100 based mostly on pollen scores for tree, grass, and weed pollen, over-the-counter allergy medicine use, and the variety of allergy specialists.

The AAFA notes that, in contrast with earlier years, extra cities within the West are among the many prime 20 allergy capitals.

1. Boise, ID
2. San Diego, CA
3. Tulsa, OK
4. Provo, UT
5. Rochester, NY
6. Wichita, KS
7. Raleigh, NC
8. Ogden, UT
9. Spokane, WA
10. Greenville, SC
11. San Francisco, CA
12. Minneapolis, MN
13. Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
14. Richmond, VA
15. Colorado Springs, CO
16. Little Rock, AR
17. Toledo, OH
18. New Orleans, LA
19. Winston-Salem, NC
20. Lakeland, FL

You will discover the complete record of the highest 100 allergy capitals within the AAFA 2026 report.

If you already know allergens, like pollen, might set off signs, you could need to scale back your publicity. Listed below are a number of methods to do exactly that:

• Monitor the pollen count in your space so you may keep away from going exterior throughout excessive pollen instances.
• Hold the home windows in your own home and automobile closed, and let your HVAC system filter out allergens.
• Bear in mind to alter your HVAC filters often, particularly throughout your worst allergy months.
• Attempt to hold pollen exterior as a lot as attainable by eradicating your footwear by the door whenever you enter your own home, altering your garments after being exterior, and showering earlier than mattress.
• Put on sun shades when exterior to assist shield your eyes from pollen.

You too can use over-the-counter allergy drugs to assist scale back your signs. If these don’t appear to work, you may seek the advice of with a healthcare skilled about different remedy choices.

“Begin taking antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops as quickly as attainable,” stated Nicolle Overstreet, DO, household doctor with Medical Workplaces of Manhattan. “If you happen to’re feeling signs, begin treating [them]. I counsel sufferers to begin 2 weeks earlier than their signs began final 12 months, to get a head begin,” she advised Healthline.

Overstreet advisable frequent allergy testing, when attainable, to successfully scale back and handle signs.

If you happen to’re vulnerable to allergic reactions and irritation, it’s best to monitor your signs often to trace tendencies and flare-ups, Greenspan stated.