Louisville, Ky., worst allergy symptoms

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LANDOVER, Md., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- As leaves fall, stuffiness, sneezing and wheezing officially sets in for some 40 million U.S. adults and children, allergists say.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America said its Fall Allergy Capitals had Louisville, Ky., coming in at No. 1 for worst symptoms for seasonal fall allergies, followed by Wichita, Kan.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Jackson, Miss.; and McAllen, Texas. Baton Rouge, La., climbed 13 spots to No. 10.

A complete listing of 100 cities can be found at www.AllergyCapitals.com.

The annual research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America identified the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies during the fall season. The data included measurements of:

-- Pollen scores for airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores.

-- Number of allergy medications used per patient.

-- Number of allergy specialists per patient.

"The warm temperatures and longer seasons have created the perfect environment for seasonal allergies, causing pollen counts to soar this fall season," Dr. James Sublett, a Louisville allergist and chairman of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Indoor Environment Committee, said in a statement. "The fall allergy season peaked in September and is expected to linger until November."