out on outdoor activities they enjoy and I assure them that they don’t have to," Dr. Schulte says. "There are excellent allergy medicines available to people."

The top 25 fall allergy capitals for 2008:

1. Greensboro, NC

2. Greenville, SC

3. Little Rock, AR

4. Raleigh-Durham, NC

5. Jackson, MS

6. Knoxville, TN

7. Grand Rapids, MI

8. Wichita, KS

9. Oklahoma City, OK

10. Madison, WI

11. Tulsa, OK

12. Chattanooga, TN

13. Birmingham, AL

14. New Orleans, LA

15. Harrisburg, PA

16. Augusta, GA

17. Louisville, KY

18. San Antonio, TX

19. Columbia, SC

20. Charlotte, NC

21. Memphis, TN

22. Des Moines, IA

23. Scranton, PA

24. St. Louis, MO

25. Bridgeport, CT

The rankings are based on scientific analysis of three factors for 100 metro areas. The data measured and compared each year includes:

• Pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores)

• Number of allergy medications used per patient

• Number of allergy specialists per patient

This year’s report indicates that more than 50 percent of the United States’ population lives in one of the 100 Fall Allergy Capital cities. However, Greensboro, NC is ranked number one this year due to a higher-than-average pollen score, higher use of allergy medications per person, and lower-than-average access to allergy specialists, compared to other cities on the list.

More than 36 million Americans suffer from indoor and outdoor allergic rhinitis, also known as upper respiratory allergies. Allergies are caused when a person's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances. These substances are often referred to as triggers. People can encounter indoor and outdoor allergy triggers anytime throughout the year that can lead to allergy symptoms. Indoor allergies can occur year-round and are triggered by substances such as mold, dust mites, and pet dander. These allergens are often inhaled through the nose and mouth, putting the allergens in contact with the immune cells in the lining of the nose, mouth, throat, and airways of the lungs causing an allergic response. Similarly, outdoor allergies can occur when outdoor allergens such as pollen from grasses, weeds and trees are inhaled through the nose and mouth into the lungs causing an allergic response. Those who suffer from outdoor allergies are often affected by allergies in the spring and fall. Symptoms for both indoor and outdoor allergies can include itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose or throat, sneezing and runny nose.

Visit www.AllergySavvy.com to learn if your city is an Allergy Capital and get information about allergy symptoms, how to avoid triggers, and how to best treat their symptoms.

Claire Yezbak Fadden is the Associate Editor of LifeAfter50.com.