http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=750605&pid=750604&uts=1255967566
http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/media_gallery/v1/ke_media_gallery_wrapper.swf
By Mary Kearl
It may seem impossible to believe, but fall is upon us already, and with that comes seasonal allergies, affecting a whopping 36 million Americans.
It may seem impossible to believe, but fall is upon us already, and with that comes seasonal allergies, affecting a whopping 36 million Americans.
jupiterimages
Worst Cities for Fall Allergies
By Mary Kearl
It may seem impossible to believe, but fall is upon us already, and with that comes seasonal allergies, affecting a whopping 36 million Americans. While often associated with spring, the most common seasonal allergy trigger, ragweed, is usually found in the fall, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American (AAFA). Read ahead to discover the top 25 worst cities for allergies from the AAFA's "Fall 2008 Allergy Capitals." Last year's worst city, Austin, didn't even crack the top 25.
jupiterimages
#25: Bridgeport, Conn.
Rank in 2007: Not in top 100
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Worse than average
Total Score: 54.11
The Allergy Capitals is an annual research project of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to identify "the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies" in the spring and fall seasons.
The rankings are based on the AAFA's scientific analysis of three factors for 100 metro areas. The data measured and compared each year includes:
*Pollen Score Average = 300 grains per cubic meter of air
**Number of allergy medications used per patient = 1.07 per patient
***Number of allergy specialists per patient = 1.28 per 1,000 patients
Getty Images
#24: St. Louis, Mo.
Rank in 2007: 6
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 54.13
Getty Images
#23: Scranton, Pa.
Rank in 2007: 90
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 54.74
Ed Koskey Jr., AP
#22: Des Moines, Iowa
Rank in 2007: 72
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Worse than average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Above average
Total Score: 54.86
Tom Bean, Getty Images
#21: Memphis, Tenn.
Rank in 2007: 31
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 55.75
Gavin Hellier, Getty Images
#20: Charlotte, N.C.
Rank in 2007: 26
Pollen Score: Worse than average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Above average
Total Score: 56.84
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
#19: Columbia, S.C.
Rank in 2007: 29
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 57.38
Getty Images
#18: San Antonio, Texas
Rank in 2007: 2
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 58.05
Getty Images
#17: Louisville, Ky.
Rank in 2007: 61
Pollen Score: Average
Medicine Usage: Worse than average
Access to Allergy Specialists: Average
Total Score: 60.10
Getty Images
