These Are the 10 Most Allergen-Prone Cities—Here's How to Protect Your Home All Season Long

Spring is fast approaching, but warm weather and blossoming trees are exactly what individuals with allergies don’t want to see. If you struggle with environmental allergies, you might already be aware that some locations have much more intense allergy seasons than others. Thumbtack, an online platform that connects you with home service professionals, compiled a list of the top 10 sneeziest cities in the U.S. ahead of allergy season.

Thumbtack analyzed demand for home-improvement tasks related to pollen and air quality to identify the most allergen-prone areas. Then, they took a look at some of the services homeowners utilized to help keep pollen at bay—so you, too, can learn how to best protect your home during allergy season. 

10 Sneeziest U.S. Cities

Here are the 10 allergen-filled cities: 

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Charlotte, NC
3. Austin, TX
4. Washington, DC
5. Dallas, TX
6. Orlando, FL
7. Tampa, FL
8. Baltimore, MD
9. Raleigh, NC
10. Seattle, WA

Most of the country’s allergen-prone cities are in the Southeast, which Thumbtack attributed to several factors. Humidity, long growing seasons, and the high number of trees all contribute to long-lasting seasonal allergies. 

Thumbtack also noted that damp climates—like Seattle—pose a problem to those with allergies. Not only does the city experience a high pollen count early in the spring, but year-round damp weather also contributes to mold growth and spore release, triggering allergies. 

Before you travel to any of the cities on Thumbtack’s list, prepare yourself by checking the area’s pollen count. Consider limiting your time outdoors when the season becomes especially sneezy. 

4 Key Protection Methods

Even if you live in one of the nation’s most allergy-prone cities, you can still protect your home from external allergens. Thumbtack covered a few key methods you can use to give yourself an allergy-free respite, even when pollen counts are high.

1. Control How Much Pollen You Carry

Your daily routine might cause you to accidentally bring pollen inside, making allergies worse. Before you enter your house, Thumbtack advised changing clothes and removing your shoes right away; allergens can cling to your clothes and continue to irritate you long after you head indoors. Rinsing or shaking out your hair in the shower after you come inside can also help remove pollen and dust. 

If you have any pets, don’t forget to bathe them regularly if they go outside during allergy season, too. It’s all too easy for a dog’s coat to collect pollen, spores, and dust mites, even if they only spend a few minutes outside. 

2. Seal Any Gaps Near Doors and Windows

Thumbtack also recommended sealing your doors and windows—both places where allergens can sneak inside. You might already have a routine of checking your home for gaps before winter, but if you have allergies, it’s a must-do before spring arrives, too. Keep those windows shut on high-pollen-count days.

3. Outdoor Maintenance

Outside, Thumbtack advised taking control of your yard to help reduce your allergies. Cutting back trees, trimming hedges, mowing your lawn, and rinsing off your outdoor patio can all help keep allergens from building up (or blooming) in your yard. 

4. Indoor Maintenance

Indoors, you should vacuum your floors and clean your carpet regularly to keep allergens at bay, according to Thumbtack. Don’t forget to vacuum your upholstered furniture and wash your sheets more regularly during high pollen counts.

Thumbtack also recommended having your duct vents cleaned, staying on top of your HVAC maintenance, and replacing your air filters regularly during allergy season.