Ah, seasonal allergies. Tale as old as time…and a spring ritual that actually is experiencing changes, both in how we treat allergies and in what is happening across the country with the length of allergy season and other environmental factors. If you feel like you’re dealing with spring allergies more than you have before, there could be some good reasons for that, particularly depending on where you live and with some new factors when it comes to growing seasons, meteorological conditions, and more.
Top Seasonal Allergy-Inducing Cities in the U.S.
It’s one of those lists that you might not want to be a part of and probably isn’t going to be touted on a city’s Chamber of Commerce Top Reasons to Move Here lists. But there are cities for whom allergy sufferers might find it to be a bit tougher to weather the spring. This list has actually changed over the last few years; conditions like wildfires, drought, and other issues do have cities on the list being adding or shifting positions. Here’s the top five allergy cities as of 2026, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
Boise, Idaho: Boise became the list’s new #1 with high levels of pollen. This is thought to have been caused by very harsh winter conditions that were quickly followed by a rapid spring warm-up. Boise has also been dealing with fresh vegetation growth following wildfire activity, another reason for high pollen counts.
San Diego, California: While certain areas of California provide relief for seasonal allergy sufferers, San Diego, with its beautiful climate and temperate weather, means that plants flower and bloom for longer periods. This means that plant pollens have a longer run, which then in turn means more noses running! While it may seem counterintuitive, the drought conditions which San Diego frequently experiences can also raise allergy issues, with dust and wildfire activity adding to the mix.
Tulsa, Oklahoma: Gorgeous azaleas, huge trees, green vegetation everywhere in the spring, it’s no wonder that Tulsa makes the list every year. Tulsa is a sea of green hills on the edge of the Ozarks to the east of the city, with wide prairie lands off to the west, a perfect combo for pollen and dust. And true to the lyrics of its eponymous musical, Oklahoma’s winds sweeping down the plains stir up all that pollen mix to a true sneezing blend each year.
Provo, Utah: Provo comes into the top five partly because of its unique geographic features. Tucked back against the Wasatch mountain range, pollen from the region gets pushed into Provo’s valley-like configuration, raising the overall pollen count in the city’s area. The more arid conditions in Utah also mean that pollen stays airborne longer, meaning that it’s able to keep your eyes watering and your nose itching longer as well.
Rochester, New York: Rounding out the top five this year is Rochester, New York, the only East Coast representation of the list. Rochester boasts a wide range of tree species, including oak, maple, and birch, which are well-known allergy pollinators. This year in particular, the region experienced extreme winter weather, followed by a fast warmup, which has meant the extended release of higher pollen. While Rochester has long been on a longer list of high allergy locations, these weather conditions have contributed to it taking its place in the top five.
🌳 Even if you don’t live in any of these regions, you might feel like you’re dealing with seasonal allergies more than before. And you’re probably right. Allergy season now lasts about three weeks longer than it did fifty years ago. Researchers believe this is partly due to warming trends in our climate. Vegetation also is now producing 20% more pollen than it did five decades ago, an increase that isn’t completely understood, but may be due in part to fewer frost days. Frost days are times in the fall and in the spring in which harsh winter conditions haven’t happened yet, but plants experience a slowdown in growth and pollination because of gradual drops in temperature that produce overnight frost conditions. When temperature swings move from warm to harsh cold, without the gradual cool down of frost days, plants tend to have longer growing periods and longer pollination periods. 🌿
Now that you know what some of the possible “whys” are behind your allergy symptoms this year, particularly when it comes to the region you live in, what steps can you take to lessen that pollen load?
🌬️ Limit outdoor air exposure. It doesn’t seem fair, does it, that when the weather is mild and gorgeous, that you’re staying indoors? But when pollen counts are high, you might consider limiting your outdoor time to a walk in the neighborhood, rather than spending all day working in the yard. Also, as important as it is to let fresh air circulate into your home, check your area’s pollen count through your local news station or allergy reports. On days when allergens are particularly high, keep those windows closed; wait for a day when the air quality is friendlier to your nose.
👚Change your clothes. If you’ve spent some time outdoors exercising or working on your spring garden, consider changing your clothes when you come inside. Pollen can cling to fabrics, which means that you’re bringing the outside in with you. Also avoid sitting on upholstered furniture or on your bed while still wearing clothing that you had on while outside; allergens can transfer from clothing fabric to furniture.
🥅 Add air filter units to rooms and change your HVAC filters often. Individual air filter units can help keep pollen counts down in your bedroom or home office. You may find that you need to change your HVAC system filters more frequently as well in the spring months, as those filters are catching more allergens when counts are high.
📳 Schedule a telehealth visit. If you’re an Altrua HealthShare Member, head to your HealthWallet app to schedule a virtual visit with a care provider. You’ll learn more ideas for dealing with the seasonal sneezes, all from the convenience of your home and phone, no waiting room required. Be sure and talk with your provider about current medications you’re on before taking over-the-counter allergy medications; there are some prescriptions that should not be combined with seasonal allergy remedies. If you’re not yet a Member of Altrua HealthShare, or you have questions about your membership, contact a Member Services Representative at 1-888-244-3839.
While the season lasts longer than it used to, and while your nose may be unhappy with the results, allergy season is also a season of beautiful flowers, buds on the trees, green landscapes, and gorgeous weather. By putting some sneezing strategies in place, you can make the most of the season!