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The snowstorm is over, but don’t forget the allergic suffering that has lasted for a year.
Dr Kirk Waibel, an allergist with Aspire Allergy & Sinus, told MySA.com he was not surprised to see San Antonio land in the Top 20 of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual ranking of places. the most difficult to live with with allergies. The Alamo City came in 14th, dropping seven spots from its 2020 ranking.
It may seem like the drop in the standings is a good thing, but San Antonio’s overall score was not far from 7th – Springfield, MA was at 84.28 while ours was at 81. The report examines three key factors when ranking. – spring and fall pollen scores, use of over-the-counter drugs and availability of allergists. The study, which dates back to 2003, determines the ranking based on data available 12 months previously.
READ ALSO: ‘I’m hiding indoors on this beautiful day’: Redditors discuss allergy season in San Antonio
“As allergy sufferers know, San Antonio has unique characteristics that aren’t found in a lot of places,” Waibel said in explaining why the city continues to land in the Top 20. “Specifically, we have a long tree season that starts with ash, then turns into oak pollen (think of all that yellow stuff that covers your car every spring) and then elm, hackberry and others come along. “
Additionally, Waibel said that the warmer months and increased urbanization in San Antonio resulted in the fall ragweed season starting earlier in the year during the summer and then continuing until ‘in November. And, of course, he noted the dreaded mountain cedar season (which runs from December to February).
So, people with environmental allergies never have a break here in South Texas. Unless the snow hit last week, we really don’t have a ‘real winter’ when it does. There is no pollen in the air like other cities, ”Waibel said.
RELATED: From cedar fever to dust mites: 9 allergies Texans face all year round
As the blizzard killed plant life, Waibel believes she wasn’t strong enough to kill San Antonio’s old, deeply rooted trees. So the allergies will continue in the region, he said.
Importantly, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America study reports that climate change caused extreme weather events – such as heat waves and droughts – in 2020 in the United States Spring in the States United is 2 degrees warmer on average while autumn is 2.5 degrees warmer on average. This could be a problem as warmer and longer seasons can cause allergic trees and plants to move to new areas, the report notes.
In Texas, the other two cities that made the Top 20 are McAllen (# 4) and Dallas (# 19). Scranton, PA landed in first place.
To help beat seasonal allergies, the Aspire Allergy & Sinus Center recommends taking over-the-counter medications before you start the day and washing your hands, face, and changing clothes after being outdoors. You should also avoid outdoor exercise early in the morning when the pollen count is higher. If the symptoms worsen, you can consult your local allergist for more information.
Priscilla Aguirre is general mission journalist for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre
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