Nobody likes seasonal allergies. Itchy eyes, running nose, hives—these symptoms haunt people during the changing seasons. Many people choose to stay inside in the spring and fall while allergens fly through the air. Visiting an allergy clinic in Nashville, TN can help alleviate these symptoms.
About 83 people move to Nashville every day. They come here for the job opportunities, music, and great food. The one thing most people don’t think about before moving here are their seasonal allergies. But once the seasons start changing and the pollen starts flying, they might find themselves sneezing more than they were in other cities. Why is this? Nashville ranks among the country’s top cities for seasonal allergies.
Allergy Capital
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases a yearly report of the worst cities in the continental United States for seasonal allergies. They aim to “raise awareness about the impact of spring seasonal allergies and provide helpful information to improve the quality of life for people who experience them.” Three factors are taken into account when putting together the list—the usage of allergy medicine, the amount of pollen and mold, and the availability of board-certified allergists. Any city that makes it onto this list is labeled an allergy capital.
Nashville came in at number 63 on the list, which is actually better than it was last year. But even with the downward trend of the city’s ranking, the presence on the list means allergies are still an issue.
So even though Nashville isn’t at the very top of the list, it is still considered an allergy capital. But why is that?
Allergies in Nashville
Allergies are caused by our immune systems. They’re actually a bit of an over-correction—our bodies notice essentially harmless allergens like pollen and go into overdrive in an attempt to fight them. This is manifested as a runny nose, sneezing, and so on. Everyone’s reaction to these allergens is different. It can be affected by our environment or your personal biology. This is why some people might have a sneezing fit while the person next to them is perfectly fine.
Nashville has long growing seasons. The same weather that gives you the ability to go for a comfortable bike ride in March is also the reason your allergies might kick up in April. Nashville’s geography also plays a role in this. We are also surrounded by large areas of trees. This makes for a nice drive, but it also creates more pollen. We are located underneath the Cumberland Plateau. So when the winds pick up, they don’t actually clear out the pollen. It all stays somewhat trapped here which is why our pollen counts can get so high. We also tend to get a lot of rain in the spring which will actually help combat the pollen. However, it also creates more mold. This effectively trades one allergen for another.
So now that we know what we’re up against, what can be done to combat this?
What Can You Do?
The good news is there are plenty of actions you can take to lessen the effects of seasonal allergies. Remember that allergies in the spring come from both trees and grass. Allergies in the fall are commonly a result of ragweed pollen.
The nice weather might make you want to run through a park, but limiting outdoor activity will reduce your exposure to these allergens. Once you’re inside, keep your windows closed. You want your home to be a haven from the allergens. This means you should also be sure your air conditioning is properly filtered.
If do happen to go outside during peak allergy season, protect yourself by wearing sunglasses and a hat. Allergens can become trapped in our clothes and hair, so don’t wear your shoes around your house. Take a shower when you get home and be sure to shampoo your hair to get out any allergens that might have hitched a ride. Wash the clothes you wore outside and dry them in a dryer, not hanging on a line outdoors. Any pets should be wiped off with a towel once they come inside.
You can further clean the air inside your home by purchasing a certified air cleaner, or specialized air filter for your air conditioner. Allergy medications can be purchased at your local grocery store to treat symptoms. But if you really want to fight seasonal allergies, you can visit an allergy clinic in Nashville, TN.
Call OAT
Immunotherapy is one option for long-term treatment of seasonal allergies. Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) is an allergy clinic in Nashville, TN. We can give you the best chance of avoiding the misery of seasonal allergies.
