Denver named best city for allergy sufferers

Allergy sufferers know one thing to be true: the grass is always greener elsewhere - both literally and figuratively. Allergies differ around the country based on the local plant life meaning symptoms of allergy sufferers are agitated far more in some places than others.

When spring rolls around, while some people are excited for the increase in sunshine and the impending warmth, others are coughing, sneezing, and sniffling. Their mornings start with Claritin and allergy-fogginess. But some cities are harder to survive allergy season in, which is why each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA from here on out) shares the allergy capitals of the United States for the year.

This list is built from the 100 largest cities in the country, working to help people recognize and manage their allergy symptoms. These cities were ranked on pollen count, use of allergy medication, and availability of allergists nearby.

In 2018, Denver, Colorado was named the best city in the continental US for those who have bad allergies. Thanks to having an average or less-than-average pollen score, more board certified allergists and better than average medication utilization, the Mile High city is a premier location for those who suffer through spring and summer and other times when allergies are common.

But pollen isn’t the only allergy important to pay attention to. While one of the most common allergies, it isn’t the most common allergy in the U.S. That title is actually reserved for soy. The most common allergy Americans have happens to be soy, which is found in a bunch of popular meals and snacks. Common in meat substitute products like tofu, soy is in a lot more of our food than many of us realize. It’s harder to avoid than you think.

In our state, the most common allergy happens to be gluten. Whether Colorado residents are more health conscious than other states and aware of the effects gluten consumption can have on the human body or their systems don’t particularly process gluten well, it’s evident residents are “going gluten-free”.