Top allergy cities of 2013

Are you living in a city that's in for a rough spring allergy season? Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) creates a list of the worst cities in the U.S. for people with allergies. This year's list was sponsored by Dymista, which is a nasal spray used to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies. The "Allergy Capitals" are ranked according to pollen levels, use of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medication and the number of Board Certified allergists. Keep clicking to see the top 10 allergy capitals in the United States...

10. Baton Rouge, La.

Score: 83.27 Last years rank: 11 A tug boat pushes barges past the Louisiana State Capitol on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge, La., May 18, 2011.

9. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Score: 84.83 Last years rank: 6 "Severe weather patterns can bring higher temperatures, higher pollen levels and increased exposure to outdoor mold, resulting in spring allergies that can peak stronger and last longer," Dr. Bill Berger, from the Allergy and Asthma Associates of Southern California, said in a press release.

8. Memphis, Tenn.

Hernando Desoto Bridge in Memphis, Tenn., is seen in this image — JSF306/Flickr

Score: 86.03 Last years rank: 8 "Too often, people with seasonal allergies suffer silently while their symptoms worsen year after year. Allergy sufferers need to learn more about allergies and visit an allergy specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Often more can be done to relieve allergy symptoms that interfere with daily life," Berger added.

7. Dayton, Ohio

Score: 88.33 Last years rank: 10 2013 is expected to be a bad year for allergy sufferers because the past wet winter and early warm temperatures can aid in earlier tree pollination and higher levels of pollen and outdoor mold. Research shows that spring now arrives 10 to 14 days earlier than it did two decades ago, the AAFA pointed out.

6. Wichita, Kan.

Score: 90.40 Last years rank: 5 Recent hurricanes, severe storms and tornadoes can also play a role in spring allergies since there is an increased amount of mold in areas affected by floods. Construction sites can also become allergy-trigger centers because weeds often grow in areas with a lot of development.

5. Louisville, Ky.

Score: 91.13 Last years rank: 3 This year in particular showed that allergy problems are especially an issue in southern states. Out of the top 25 worst cities for spring allergies, 15 were in the South.

4. McAllen, Texas

Score: 91.37 Last years rank: 2 "The severe allergy conditions expected in many cities across the country means more challenges for patients, and a need for powerful and effective treatment options for them to help manage their condition,"Mike Tringale, vice-president of external affairs at AAFA, said in a press release.

3. Chattanooga, Tenn.

AP Photo/Chattanooga Times Free Press, Dan Henry

Score: 94.41 Last years rank: 7 Dr. Mark H. Sandilands marries Britny Bennett, 24, holding her 12-week-old son Jaxon Bowers, to Josh Bowers, 23, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, outside of the Hamilton County Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tenn.

2. Knoxville, Tenn.

Score: 99.62 Last years rank: 1 There is no cure for allergies, and about half of seasonal allergy patients are unhappy with how effective their allergy medications are, the AAFA pointed out. Many people still experience severe allergy symptoms even if they are using treatment.

1. Jackson, Miss.

The Capitol dome and Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson, Miss. are seen in this image by Flickr user NatalieMaynor — NatalieMaynor/Flickr

Score: 100 Last years rank: 4 Jackson topped the list this year because they had a very high pollen count. People who had allergies in the city also had high rate of taking allergy medications. To learn more, visit the AAFA 2013 Allergy Capital website.