The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) issued its 2025 Allergy Capitals report to identify the most challenging locations in the U.S. for individuals with pollen allergies. This study collects data from 100 metropolitan regions in the U.S. across the 48 contiguous states to analyze pollen levels, allergy medication usage, and the availability of specialist medical providers.
Pollen allergies, which cause sneezing, itching, and asthma symptoms, affect approximately 100 million people in the U.S. and are considered a major public health concern. For the third year in a row, Wichita, Kansas, ranks as the most challenging city for allergy sufferers. High pollen counts from trees and grass, along with extensive use of over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drugs and limited access to allergy specialists, explain why Wichita has earned this position for three consecutive years.
The Allergy Capitals rankings by the AAFA evaluate three measurement points: annual pollen statistics, public OTC allergy medicine usage, and regional allergy specialists in each area. Research demonstrates that climate change makes allergy seasons more severe throughout the U.S. Pollen seasons become more severe and longer due to rising temperatures and extended growing seasons, which intensify how often and strongly allergy symptoms affect people.
Research findings from 2025 show that New Orleans’ allergy ranking rose by 32 spots because weed pollen levels became higher. Louisiana experienced a warm November month combined with Hurricane Francine’s moisture that extended the period for weed pollen to appear.
Growing seasons are lengthening in various parts of the country due to rising temperatures, while pollen seasons reach elevated intensity levels throughout the year. The southern and eastern regions of the U.S. have experienced the effects of ragweed pollen for almost a year. The long allergy seasons create challenging conditions for people to handle their asthma and allergy symptoms.
The longer and more intense allergy seasons create challenges for symptom management and generate more illness-related workforce absence and school attendance deficits, as well as greater demand for healthcare facilities.
Chief Mission Officer of AAFA Melanie Carver stated that allergy management stands as a crucial factor in minimizing immediate impacts. The importance of sustained policy modifications for addressing climate change emerged as a key focus alongside short-term interventions.
The report indicates that the city of Wichita offers the worst conditions for allergy patients, yet other eastern and southern U.S. locations also deal with intense pollen problems. Illness-causing pollen levels increased throughout western cities because of excessive rainfall and storms that increased their positions in the Allergy Capitals rankings.
People who experience worsening allergy symptoms have effective ways to manage their condition. In consultations with doctors, patients can discover the right treatments for their allergy symptoms either through over-the-counter medications or immunotherapy, according to Neeta Ogden, an allergist. People commonly find pollen count tracking to be a helpful strategy in their daily lives.
Based on his experience as CEO of Pollen Sense, David Noel suggests minimizing outdoor activities during periods of peak pollen concentration. Medical treatments should be combined with practices like limiting pollen exposure and checking local pollen levels to make allergies less bothersome during pollination season.
The 2025 Allergy Capitals report underscores the urgent need for individual and public policy reforms that will combat the intensified problems with seasonal allergies. Short-term relief from allergy symptoms is possible through medical treatments and pollen reduction, but the root cause of climate change needs long-term solutions to minimize the severity caused by the allergy season. This report emerged from support provided by Opella, which produces Allegra® while demonstrating continuous efforts to advance U.S. allergy treatment research.
Reference: Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen seasons are longer and more intense, affecting millions: AAFA report reveals most challenging places for living with seasonal allergies. Published March 18, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/18/3044347/0/en/Pollen-Seasons-are-Longer-and-More-Intense-Affecting-Millions.html
