If you find yourself rubbing your eyes, sneezing, or coughing this fall, blame mother nature. Mike Tringale with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says "there's not a whole lot you can do to change mother nature. Trees and grass and weeds let go of their pollen on their own schedule."
Chattanooga ranks 12th this year when it comes to cities with challenging fall allergies. The Scenic City jumps 31 places this year primarily due to pollen, one of three factors for the ranking. Tringale says "we look at the number of allergy medications used per patient in those areas and thirdly we look at the number of board certified allergists in a particular metro area, as an indicator of how accessible allergy care is for patient who might live there"
By comparison, Knoxville ranks 6th this year and Greensboro, North Carolina tops the list.
Fall allergies, like ragweed, can be more potent than allergens found in the Spring. That's why allergists say a growing number of people now seek treatment from seasonal symptoms. Dr. Danica Schulte, a Pediatric Allergist, says "I see a lot of patients who just have the same symptoms of running eyes and an itchy nose and they don't appreciate that there are fall allergies that can truly be causing their symptoms since they do associate allergies with Spring time."
While Chattanooga can't legislate its way to a better ranking, residents do have control over how they respond to mother nature, such as medication and closing windows.
Chattanooga ranked 58th earlier this year for Spring allergies. Local allergists say many people now recognize they suffer from symptoms in the Spring, and seek professional help to manage their discomfort.
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