7. Dayton, Ohio

Forbes: 10 Worst Cities For Allergies

Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: Average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Fewer than average
Total average score: 89.14
Last year’s rank: No. 4

(Marj Shockley / Alamy)

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10 Worst Cities ... For the ninth consecutive year the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has released its list of the worst cities in the nation for allergies. Researchers analyzed pollen levels, the number of allergy medications purchased per patient and the number of board-certified allergists per patient in the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. Many of the 10 worst cities this year are concentrated in the Deep South, likely because the climate enables a longer spring season and a variety of pollen-producing plants and trees, allergists say.

(Matthew Brown/istockphoto)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
10. Madison, Wis... Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 87.51
Last year’s rank: No. 11

(Andre Jenny Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom)

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Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. McAllen, Texa... Pollen score: Average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Fewer than average
Total average score: 88.79
Last year’s rank: No. 25

(JRC, Inc. / Alamy)

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Great Escapes From Modern Life
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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. Richmond, Vir... Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: Average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 88.94
Last year’s rank: No. 13

(Bill Manning/istockphoto)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Dayton, Ohio Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: Average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Fewer than average
Total average score: 89.14
Last year’s rank: No. 4

(Marj Shockley / Alamy)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
6. Birmingham, A... Pollen score: Average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 89.17
Last year’s rank: No. 15

(Darryl Vest/istockphoto)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Chattanooga, ... Pollen score: Average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 89.28
Last year’s rank: No. 3

(Andre Jenny Stock Connection Worldwide/Newscom)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Jackson, Miss... Pollen score: Average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 91.65
Last year’s rank: No. 8

(Ilene MacDonald / Alamy)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
3. Charlotte, No... Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Fewer than average
Total average score: 92.24
Last year’s rank: No. 5

(Jill Lang/istockphoto)

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Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. Louisville, K... Pollen score: Average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 94.25
Last year’s rank: No. 2

(Richard Cummins Lonely Planet Images/Newscom)

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Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Knoxville, Te... Pollen score: Worse than average
Allergy medications used per patient: More than average
Board-certified allergists per patient: Average
Total average score: 100.00
Last year’s rank: No. 1

(GreenStock/istockphoto)

More From Forbes:
Great Escapes From Modern Life
America's Most Polluted Cities
15 Lost Cities Of The World

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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