Is Sacramento a bad place for allergies? It’s actually one of the best, new ranking says

With Sacramento’s urban forest, you’d think the city would be overwhelmed with tree pollen — the biggest culprit for seasonal allergies. But the City of Trees is one of the top places to live in 2022 if you have allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

The organization looked at fall and spring pollen scores, use of over-the-counter medicine use and availability of certified allergists and immunologists in the 100 most populated metropolitan cities in the U.S.

Sacramento landed the sixth spot on the list of “least challenging places to live with seasonal allergies,” meaning allergies in the area are better than others.

San Francisco made third, Durham, North Carolina made second and Seattle was the top place to live with allergies. Fresno rounded out the list, ranking 10th.

The most difficult places to live with allergies included Richmond, Virginia; McAllen, Texas; and Wichita, Kansas. Scranton, Pennsylvania topped this list.

According to the foundation, the most common tree pollen that causes allergies in the spring is ash, beech, birth, cedar and oak. In the fall, burning bush, mugwort, ragweed and sage bush are usually causing pollen allergy.

To manage your pollen contact during allergy seasons, AAFA recommends checking pollen forecasts and planning your day accordingly. Washing clothing after being outdoors and wearing sunglasses and face and hair coverings is also helpful.

Other tips include:

• Keep windows closed during peak pollen time or season
• Wipe pets with a towel after they spend time outdoors
• Remove shoes before going inside your home
• Use central air conditioning or air cleaners

This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 11:22 AM.