America's Top Allergy Capitals

WEDNESDAY, May 6 (HealthDay News) -- Louisville, Ky., is the most challenging place to live for people with spring allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's 2009 list of top 100 Spring Allergy Capitals.

The list, released Wednesday, is based on the impact that key environmental and medical factors have on people with allergies. The rankings are published annually to help allergy sufferers recognize, prevent and treat symptoms.

Other cities in the top 10 are: Knoxville, Tenn.; Charlotte, N.C.; Madison, Wis.; Wichita, Kan.; McAllen, Texas; Greensboro, N.C.; Dayton, Ohio; Little Rock, Ark.; and Augusta, Ga.

"Anyone who lives in an allergy capital should take the necessary steps to minimize the impact of allergies on their life," Mike Tringale, the foundation's director of external affairs, said in a news release from the organization. "The ranking is a great tool to help increase awareness about what allergy sufferers can do to avoid triggers and actually enjoy the spring season."

The rankings are based on a city's seasonal pollen count, use of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications, and number of board-certified allergists. Each factor was weighted to reflect its relative importance as an indicator of allergy severity, and the weighted factors were then used to assign a score and determine a city's ranking.