Fall allergies? Things could be a lot worse

For allergy sufferers who dread the end of summer as they prepare to sneeze their way through the fall, take heart: It could be worse.

Colorado Springs is No. 81 on the list of 100 major cities ranked according to how bad they are for fall allergy sufferers, with No. 1 being the worst. The Springs falls between Atlanta and Providence, R.I. Even though Denver is just miles up the road, it was ranked No. 68.

The South is apparently the most miserable place to live if you have fall allergies, with Greensboro, N.C., ranked No. 1, followed by Greenville, S.C. The best place? The Pacific Northwest. Portland, Ore., received the best score, followed by Seattle.

Why the focus on fall? Late summer and early fall bring some of the most common allergens, which, in Colorado, include sagebrush, tumbleweed, ragweed, kochia and a host of other trees, plants and weeds, said Dr. William Storms, a Colorado Springs allergist.

Colorado Springs likely ranks low on the list because fewer things grow in its dry climate compared with places with more humidity.

The Pacific Northwest ranks low because the rain washes away the pollen.

National surveys just tell a small part of the story, Storms said. In Colorado, for example, high winds can worsen allergies, even when pollen counts are lower than in other places. And some pollens here, such as tumbleweed, aren't found elsewhere.

This year's allergy season got off to a late start, but in recent weeks has been "gangbusters," Storms said. He attributed the delay to a dry July, the start of the growing season for many of the worst-offending plants, trees and weeds. The spate of August rain then got everything growing.

Although rankings might mean little for the miserable allergy sufferer, doctors say over-the-counter medications such as Claritin and Zyrtec can help. Additional medicines and treatments are available through a physician.