VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach was named the second worst city to live in if you have allergies, right behind Wichita, Kansas being ranked number one.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released this year's list of "Worst Cities to Live in for Allergies." Two Virginia cities made the top 10.
The list ranked Wichita, Kansas first; Virginia Beach second; Greenville, South Carolina third; Dallas, Texas fourth; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma fifth; Tulsa, Oklahoma sixth; Richmond, Virginia seventh; Des Moines, Iowa eighth; Raleigh, North Carolina ninth; and Fayetteville, Arkansas 10th.
The report analyzes factors like pollen scores for weed, grass and trees, over-the-counter allergy medication usage and the number of allergy specialists in each area.
The most common allergy condition is seasonal allergic rhinitis, known as hay fever or nasal allergies.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about one out of four adults and one out of five children suffer from seasonal allergies.
Allergic rhinitis can cause symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, swollen eyes and itchy nose, eyes or ears.
It is important to manage your contact with pollen if you have seasonal allergies.
Ways to manage your contact with pollen include checking pollen counts daily, removing your shoes before entering your home, changing/washing clothes after outdoor activities, wiping furry animals off when they come inside, showering before bed to keep pollen out of your bed and keeping windows closed during the pollen season.