Oklahoma City and Tulsa Ranked In Top 10 Allergy Capitals In America

Most people in Oklahoma suffer from allergies nearly every season but especially during the spring. Tulsa and Oklahoma City consistently rank in the top 10 Allergy Capitals in America and are consider some of the most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies.

In 2024, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranked Tulsa and Oklahoma as two of the top 10 Allergy Capitals in America. Oklahoma City ranked in the top five. Below are the 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

1. Wichita, Kansas
2. Virginia Beach, Virgina
3. Greenville, South Carolina
4. Dallas, Texas
5. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
6. Tulsa, Oklahoma
7. Richmond, Virginia
8. Des Moines, Iowa
9. Raleigh, North Carolina
10. Fayetteville, Arkansas

The report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America studied data from the 100 most populated U.S. metropolitan areas and considered three main factors:

• Tree, grass and weed pollen scores
• Use of over-the-counter allergy medicine
• Availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists

READ MORE: Home Remedies to Help Relieve Allergies and Sinus Pressure

Oklahomans may still be affected by seasonal allergies even though Oklahoma City and Tulsa are in the middle of the list.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa may not be ranked high on the allergy capitals list, but they are in the middle. According to the report, those who live in lower ranking allergy capitals may still be "greatly affected by seasonal allergies." Oklahoma City and Tulsa may be ranked lower because the cities "may be doing better compared to other cities," like having more allergy specialists available.

Oklahoma City is home to the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic which is "dedicated solely to the diagnosis and management of allergy, asthma and other allergic disorders." Those in Oklahoma who suffer from seasonal allergies follow the clinic on social media even if they don't visit the clinic because the clinic posts daily updates for the state's pollen and mold count.

READ MORE: How To Prepare For Spring Allergies In Oklahoma

Recently, Oklahoma has seen multiple days with high tree pollen, including cedar, elm and pine. These daily reports from the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic can help seasonal allergy sufferers determine whether or not to spend prolonged periods outside.