Allergies

Allergies seem worse than usual this spring, and if they haven’t already, somebody is going to tell you that it’s all your fault – global warming, polar vortex, climate change, or whatever buzz words are in vogue this week.

Speaking of pseudo-science, CNN has published their list of the ten worst cities for allergies – or is that best for allergies, worst for allergy sufferers? – and for the second year in a row, Mc Allen, Texas made the top ten.  They say that these so-called allergy capitals are ranked based on pollen levels, use of allergy medications and the number of board-certified allergists in the area.

Here’s this year’s list:

1. Louisville, Kentucky

2. Memphis, Tennessee

3. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

4. Oklahoma City

5. Jackson, Mississippi

6. Chattanooga, Tennessee

7. Dallas, Texas

8. Richmond, Virginia

9. Birmingham, Alabama

10. McAllen, Texas

Mc Allen would never have made the list before it became a haven for “Winter Texans” – the thousands of retired folks from the northern US and Canada who come south to escape the snow.

Although studies show that little of the native flora actually remains in Mc Allen proper, the indigenous plants were mostly included in what scientists called the Tamaulipan Thorn Forest, a mixture of prickly pear, yucca and mesquite.  That's pretty much what most of us would consider desert – a place to go to escape your allergies.

Personally, I have serious doubts about any list that doesn’t include Austin,  so I dug a little deeper. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation Spring List shows Austin at number 50.  I guess that depends on just what make you sneeze – they show Houston at number 28.