Chicago Tops List Of Fall Allergy Capitals

As the leaves change in some parts of the country, allergy sufferers have begun feeling fall symptoms.

According to new rankings, Chicago residents might be suffering the most from seasonal allergies.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recently released their list of the Fall Allergy Capitals, pinpointing the most challenging cities for people with fall allergies to live in.

Topping the list is Chicago, which has some of the highest fall pollen levels, patient medication usage and a lower-than-average number of board certified allergists per patient.

Three cities in Florida were named among the top 10, including Tampa, Daytona and Melbourne. View the full list.

Seasonal allergies affect more than 35 million Americans, costing the U.S. economy more than $7 billion annually, according to an AAFA news release.

"The Fall Allergy Capitals list should make a person think twice before assuming that their runny nose, sneezing, congestion, watery eyes and itchy throat are due to a cold," said Dr. Derek Johnson, an allergist at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia and a medical advisor to AAFA. "These are classic symptoms of seasonal allergies."

But seasonal allergies aren't a reason to move to another city, Johnson said.

"Instead, think about having a year-round plan for preventing and managing your allergies," he said in a news release.

As if seasonal allergies didn't cause enough problems on their own, a lack of rain in some areas is exacerbating the problem, reported WBAL-TV in Baltimore. Pollen has blanketed some areas of the country with no rain to wash it away.

Doctors said you could be suffering from allergy symptoms and not even know it.

Barbara Shaul suffers from asthma but thinks she might have allergies, something she has been self-medicating for years. She said she takes over-the-counter medicines to address the symptoms.

Dr. Alvin Sanico, the medical director of the Asthma Sinus Allergy Program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, said Shaul's symptoms represent a classic case of seasonal allergies affecting someone who suffers symptoms year-round.

"Asthma and allergies can develop early in life," Sanico said. "Some patients just get used to it. They think not being able to go outside, being short of breath is normal."

When Sanico suggested that Shaul might have a pet allergy, she responded: "If I'm allergic to my husband, I'll get rid of him, not the dog!"

To determine what's bothering Shaul, the doctor suggested a skin test that, within 20 minutes, will reveal the cause of her symptoms.

"It finds out that they're allergic to, say, dust mites, cats or dogs, and ragweed," Sanico said.

Shaul reacted within six minutes to the allergens. It turned out to be dust mites. So Shaul can keep her dog -- and her husband -- as she begins treatment.

Doctors said treatment could include changes to the environment, medication or immunotherapy, which has more long-term benefits.

"It's rewarding to see patients get better because that's our jobs as physicians, to make patients feel better," Sanico said.