Does your child sniffle and sneeze when pollen is high? They might have seasonal allergic rhinitis, also called “hay fever.” Many children with food allergies have other allergic diseases.

Children with food allergies also have a higher chance of having asthma. Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma in children. Seasonal allergies can cause asthma symptoms in children. Because many allergic diseases are connected, parents of children with food allergies need to know about managing seasonal allergies.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) released its 2024 Allergy Capitals™ report. Kids with Food Allergies is the food allergy division of AAFA.

AAFA’s report ranks the top 100 most challenging cities in the contiguous United States (“lower 48 states”) to live with seasonal pollen allergies. The report includes data from the previous year to create a ranking of the 100 most populated cities based on:

• Tree, grass, and weed pollen scores
• Over-the-counter allergy medicine use
• Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists

Wichita, Kansas, is the #1 Allergy Capital for 2024 for the second year in a row due to its:

• Higher-than-average tree and grass pollen
• Higher-than-average allergy medicine use
• Fewer board-certified allergists/immunologists

Our report also highlights:

• Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma
• The impact of climate change
• The importance of pollen counting
• Why some cities are on the list and some aren't

Visit allergycapitals.com to see the full ranking of 100 cities and learn how you can help your child get relief from seasonal allergies.

AAFA thanks Pollen Sense, Komodo Health, and Circana for their support with data and report content.