CLEVELAND, Ohio - Sneezy, sniffly and itchy in Ohio? The Buckeye state is one of the worst areas in the country for allergy sufferers, says the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Of the 100 largest cities in the continental United States, the AAFA ranks Cleveland 39 and Akron 32 for most challenging places to live with spring allergies in 2018. Four of the five worst cities in the Midwest are in Ohio.
Every year, the AAFA ranks cities using three primary factors: pollen score, medication use and number of board-certified allergists per patient. The cities are ranked from the highest total score to the lowest total score.
Both Akron and Cleveland are close to the 2018 national average.
Dayton ranks No. 1 for the worst city for the Midwest, followed by Toledo, Youngstown, Wichita, Kansas, and Columbus.
Nationally, the worst cities for allergy sufferers this year are scattered. McAllen, Texas, ranks No. 1 for 2018, while in 2016 the city was fifth. Louisville, Kentucky, ranks second, and in 2016 the city still stood as number four. Dayton is the only Ohio city in the top 10 national ranking.
How can allergy sufferers relieve their symptoms in Northeast Ohio? Check out cleveland.com's interview with MetroHealth allergist Julie Sterbank.
Keep checking cleveland.com/weather for daily weather updates for Northeast Ohio, and don't forget to submit any weather questions you may have!
Kelly Reardon is cleveland.com's meteorologist. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter @KellyRWeather and Instagram.