Health, Doctors and Common Sense

Kaiser Permanente allergy technician Maryann Hall writes a number to identify one of the 32 allergens Mary Loffin is being tested for Thursday in Rancho Cordova. Allergens are pricked into the skin; development of a red, itchy bump shows an allergic reaction to the substance.

Sacramento ranks 89th out of the 100 most challenging metropolitan areas for allergy sufferers, according to analysis from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released Monday.

Knoxville, Tenn., is the "Spring Allergy Capital," followed by Louisville, Ky., Chattanooga, Tenn., Dayton, Ohio, and Charlotte, N.C.

In California, San Francisco ranked 63rd, Modesto 64th, San Jose 67th, Stockton 86th and Los Angeles 92nd.

Last year, Sacramento ranked 87th. In previous years, Sacramento has consistently landed toward the bottom of the top 100 metro areas.

The AAFA ranks metropolitan areas based on their pollen levels, the number of residents using allergy medications and the number of allergists per capita.

For more information, visit www.allergycapitals.com

Tags: Aafa, Allergens, Allergic Reaction, Allergy Foundation, Allergy Medications, Allergy Sufferers, Asthma Allergy, Asthma And Allergy, Asthma And Allergy Foundation Of America, California San Francisco, Dayton Ohio, Kaiser Permanente, Knoxville Tenn, Maryann, Metro Areas, Metropolitan Areas, Pollen Levels, Previous Years, Rancho Cordova, Skin Development