The Breeze of Allergies in New York City
Nestling at the top of our list is New York City. Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you? For those with a penchant for metropolitan life, seasonal allergies in the Big Apple are the trend. The pollen wardrobe here is as diverse as its population, ranging from oak, maple and birch tree pollen to grass and ragweed pollen. The city's skyscrapers can trap pollen, causing it to whirl around in little wind tunnels and increase your exposure. My husband, Steven, fondly reminisces about our trip to NYC. We sighted Times Square and Broadway with Quentin and Bree, our noses jointly synchronized to the rhythm of sneezes. Ah, the joy of family bonding!
Elixir of Inflorescence in Madison, Wisconsin
You might be asking, "Why Madison?" Well, the city has earned quite a reputation among allergy sufferers, primarily due to its diverse hospitality of trees. During spring, tree pollens from oak, cedar and birch are as prominent as cheese in a Wisconsin restaurant. Additionally, ragweed and mold spores spike during late summer and fall. When we visited Madison, Bree even managed to draw a very realistic, and sneezy, picture of Steven amidst a cloud of pollen. Now that's something to remember Madison by!
The Sea of Sniffles in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte's weather gets the gold star for inconsistency. The city's warm spell can trigger an early release of tree pollens, and ragweed pollens make their grand entrance around August or mid-September. Steven and I spent our 10th anniversary in this fascinating city amidst the festival of sneezes. By the end of the trip, the tissues in my bag outnumbered my anniversary gifts. Oh well, who needs gifts when you have memories (and a lot of tissues)?!
Concerto of Congestion in Dallas, Texas
Texas, the lone star state, isn't so alone when it comes to allergy triggers. Dallas has an honor roll of allergens including ragweed pollen, grass pollen, and oak pollen. Our son Quentin, being the science geek, even made a chart of the different pollen levels throughout our Dallas holiday. I half-expected him to start a pollen collection by the end of the trip!
Rhapsody of Red Noses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philly, the city of brotherly love, also extends its embraces to allergy sufferers. I recall packing for Philadelphia, thinking 'How bad can it be?' My vanity case was half-filled with allergy meds by day three. When it's not ragweed season, you may encounter tree pollen ranging from oak, maple, and birch.
Symphony of Sneezing in Richmond, Virginia
Last, but not the least, Richmond is known for its historic charm and ragweed pollen. Take a stroll down the beautiful, floral neighborhoods of the city, and you might end up with watery eyes and a running nose. Steven developed an unexpected camaraderie with the locals due to their shared allergy experiences. Richmond was a reminder, be it sunny or sneezy, there's always beauty to be found.
So, there you have it, my friends. Our top cities for seasonal allergy sufferers. While these cities might lead the charts, let’s not forget that allergies can occur anywhere, anytime. Be sure to keep those tissues handy and never underestimate the power of a good antihistamine. Stay sniffle-free!
