The 10 worst US cities for allergies

As the weather gets warmer, trees bud and release pollen that can trigger congestion, itchy eyes, and a host of other symptoms. According to AAFA, pollen is a "common trigger of allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, nasal polyps, and eosinophilic esophagitis."

Charles Sasser, a primary care and concierge services doctor, said that high pollen counts can also increase a person's susceptibility to infections.

"When we're having a reaction, then, our nasal passages are going to become more inflamed," he said. "So that's going to cause you to be symptomatic. But additionally, that's also a really nice nidus or site for infection to set in. So it's going to make you more susceptible even to those viral bacterial infections as well."

"In this time of the year, pollen's really coming from trees. And when they start that part of their reproductive cycle is really based on temperature conditions. So when it’s getting warm and humid, that really is what the trigger is to start that germination process," Sasser said. "And that's the weather we have right now. So it's certainly making the pollen levels higher than normal."

Research suggests that pollen seasons are getting longer and worse as the climate warms, something that can make managing allergies much more difficult.

Meanwhile, according to AAFA, the 10 least challenging cities in the U.S. for pollen allergies are:

1. Houston, TX
2. New York, NY
3. San Antonio, TX
4. Boston, MA
5. Phoenix, AZ
6. Fresno CA
7. Harrisburg, PA
8. El Paso, TX
9. McAllen, TX
10. Tucson, AZ

"Allergies disrupt sleep, undermine concentration, keep children home from school, and keep adults from work. We are experiencing a widening health threat fueled by climate change," said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. "Millions of people in the U.S. live with seasonal pollen allergies, and extreme weather events driven by climate change contribute to the conditions that lead to higher pollen levels and longer allergy seasons. This report is a call to action for policymakers: We need climate solutions, and we need them now."

How to prepare for allergy season

With allergy season starting, experts say there are a number of things you can do to prepare and make this year's allergy season a bit easier.

"If you just wait for your symptoms to get really bad, you're going to be miserable for longer," said Payel Gupta, an allergist and immunologist on the medical advisory council for the Allergy & Asthma Network. "The more prepared you are, the better it is."

Here are four things you can do to prepare.

1. Determine when your personal allergy season starts

There are three waves of pollen season in the United States: tree pollen from late winter to spring, grass pollen from late spring through summer, and weed pollen from late summer through fall.

Each region in the U.S. has its own mix of pollen-producing plants and seasonal start times. Figuring out what you're allergic to and when it spreads can help you plan ahead.

"Knowing when your individual season really picks up and reaches its peak is important for thinking about when your medications might be most effective," said Jeffrey Chambliss, a pediatric allergist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

You can typically get an idea of what you're allergic to based on when your symptoms are the worst. For example, if you usually get congested soon after snow melts, you're likely allergic to tree pollen, but if you get your worst symptoms around Mother's Day, then it's likely grass pollen.

Doctors cautioned against taking decongestants like Afrin or Sudafed early, as you should only take them for a few days at a time. Using some of those products for longer than that can make your symptoms worse, and Sudafed especially can increase heart rate and blood pressure.

3. Prepare your house

To prevent pollen from coming into your home, keep your windows closed starting around a week or two before allergy season.

Also, look at the appliances that affect indoor air quality, like air conditioners and purifiers, and follow the manufacturer's instructions on cleaning or replacing filters.

Some doctors also recommended creating a specific space for your coats, hats, and shoes that will eventually be covered in pollen, keeping them away from the parts of the house where you spend a lot of your time.

In addition, you should stock up on supplies you'll need like masks, saline sprays, and medications. That way, "if you encounter something or you're having a bad day, you don't need to search too far to get something that's going to provide you relief," said Neal Godse, a nose and sinus specialist at the University of Minnesota Medical School.

4. Try to stay healthy overall

For people who have asthma, spring allergens can inflame airways and make wheezing and shortness of breath worse. Having your condition under control before the season starts can help mitigate those effects. Once allergy season starts, consider using your inhaler before you go outside.

In addition, keep your skin moisturized, as that will create a protective barrier that's harder for allergens to get through.

It's also important to remember that many of the habits that are good for your overall health, like exercising, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated, can also help you prepare for allergy season, in part by reducing general inflammation. That way, when allergens place your immune system under stress, you'll be in a better position, said Catherine Monteleone, director of allergy and immunology at Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

"If you're really tired or really stressed, you're going to feel everything more," she said.