After a long and arduous winter, simply the thought of spring is enough to cheer up people. But in these cities, the arrival of spring also means a long bout of allergies (stuffy nose and watery eyes). The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases an “Allergy Capitals Report” every year. It lists all the cities that make spring and fall a difficult time for people with seasonal allergies.

Let’s take a look at the five worst cities for allergies in 2021:

1. Scranton, PA
Scranton was in 47th place in the AAFA rankings in 2018. It jumped to ninth in 2019. By 2020, it was number two on the list. In 2021, this city in Pennsylvania is considered to be the worst for asthma and allergies. When compared to other cities, Scranton has higher levels of pollen. And if it is warmer than usual, then allergy sufferers might have a harder time because trees tend to leaf out sooner.

2. Richmond, Virginia
Similar to Scranton, this city too has steadily climbed the ranks to be one of the worst for people with allergies. This usually happens because spring sets in early in Richmond. Sometimes, trees start to release pollen even in February, and to add to that if the levels of rainfall aren’t as good as expected, summer tends to stretch out, and consequently “pollen season” too is longer.

3. Wichita, Kansas
The beautiful elms and maples in Wichita, Kansas, certainly look gorgeous, especially in spring. But thanks to the warm weather, these trees have more pollen to release. And Wichita happens to be one of the cities with more than just tree pollen to worry about. Grass pollen also causes several problems for individuals with asthma and allergies in the city. Plus, neighboring cities like McAllen and Oklahoma City also can spread the pollen through the winds.

4. McAllen, Texas
McAllen is close to Mexico and can be exposed to smoke coming in from there. It also has an abundance of mesquite and Huisache trees which release pollen. Add the Bermuda and Johnson grasses to this list and citizens have a lot of pollen to think about. Moreover, even the mountain cedar trees, which are at a certain distance from McAllen, can affect people.

5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second city in Pennsylvania posing serious challenges to allergic people. The story of Pittsburgh is about climate change. In the last 50 years, the temperature of this city has risen by at least two degrees Fahrenheit. This development is considered to be one of the biggest culprits in making Pennsylvania one of the worst cities for people with allergies.