Here’s How Bad Spring Allergies Are In Southeastern Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI -- The Milwaukee Metro area has been ranked among the best metros in the country for allergies. Wednesday marks the first day of spring and for the millions of people tired of waking up to sub-freezing temperatures, massive snow drifts and icy commutes, it couldn’t come any sooner. But for more than 50 million Americans, the Big Freeze is about to become the Big Sneeze.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation last week ranked America’s largest metro areas based on things like pollen scores, medication usage and availability of certified allergists.

Here’s what the organization found for the Milwaukee area:

• Overall 2019 rank: 85
• Overall 2018 rank: 81
• Total score (average is 55.87): 41.83
• Pollen score: better than average
• Medicine utilization per patient: average
• Certified allergists per patient: average

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. They’re described as an “overreaction of the immune system” to certain substances that typically don’t harm people.

You know the symptoms: Sneezing. Coughing. Itching. Allergies typically aren’t preventable, though a reaction can be. And anyone can develop an allergy, including babies and seniors. What’s worse, they can range from annoying to life-threatening.

Dr. Mitchell Grayson, chair of the The allergy foundation’s medical scientific council, said in a release that the report is “a valuable tool” to help identify where seasonal allergy symptoms are worst.

“This report helps people in these areas be more aware of what may contribute to their allergy symptoms so they can work with their health care providers to get relief,” said Grayson. “With the right treatment plan, seasonal allergies can be managed for better quality of life.”

The patient advocacy organization ranked McCallen, Texas, the single worst place to live with allergies, with a total score of 100. Pollen, medicine use and allergists per patient in McCallen all rated worse than average.

Here are the 10 worst large cities for allergies and their scores:

1. McCallen, TX — 100
2. Jackson, MS — 84.74
3. Providence, RI — 80.48
4. Memphis, TN — 78.92
5. Springfield, MA — 78.76
6. Louisville, KY — 78.67
7. New Orleans, LA — 73.56
8. Scranton, PA — 73.04
9. Baton Rouge, LA — 72.67
10. Richmond, VA — 72.45

The report said seasonal allergies in the spring are caused mostly by tree pollen. The most common culprits include alder, ash, aspen, beech, birch, box elder, cedar, cottonwood, elm, hickory, mountain elder, mulberry, oak, olive, pecan, poplar and willow trees.

Fortunately, the group also offered tips to limit the effects of pollen. Among them: keep windows shut, use central air conditioning with air filtration, wear sunglasses and a hat, and shower with shampoo before bed.

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.