If you don’t suffer from allergies, you probably know a relative or friend who does, and, as they can tell you, it’s not pleasant.

If it seems as if allergy season is getting longer and more intense, it is not your imagination, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, which has just issued its list of the 2020 Allergy Capitals of the United States.

The Lehigh Valley area of Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Warren (New Jersey) counties is listed as the 26th most challenging place in the nation for allergy-sufferers to live.

As startling as this may be, Scranton is listed as the second-most challenging, next only to Richmond, Virginia, and three others in the state - Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg - are among the top 100.

The local area scored 72.99, but Scranton’s score was 96.53, and Richmond’s was a perfectly dreadful 100.

The least challenging place for allergy-sufferers is Durham, North Carolina, with a score of 41.46.

This shows how wrong laymen’s impressions can be. I figured dry, desertlike areas such as Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson would be among the best spots for allergy-sufferers. Wrong.

Las Vegas checked in at number 14, worse than our area, while Tucson ranked 53rd and Phoenix was 82nd.

Seasonally, our area came in 23rd most challenging in the spring and 24th in the fall; Scranton was number 1 in the fall and number 2 in the spring.

More than 50 million Americans are living with nasal allergies, according to the AAFA, which used pollen counts, use of allergy medicines and the number of board-certified allergists in determining rankings.

The organization says that the report helps communities identify where the needs of people with allergic diseases can be better met. “Through the ranking, we seek to raise awareness about the impact of seasonal allergies and provide helpful information to improve the quality of life for people who experience them,” according to Kenneth Mendez, AAFA CEO and president.

AAFA acknowledges that both spring and fall pollen have increasingly strengthened with longer, warmer growing seasons that produce stronger pollen at higher quantities. While mold can grow at any time of year, outdoor mold is worse in the fall, adding to fall allergy concerns.

“Communities need to work together to provide solutions to the challenges raised by climate change, rising health care costs and access to specialized care,” Mendez added.

For millions of Americans, allergies are life-limiting. Allergic conditions are among the most common medical problems affecting U.S. children. They are of special concern among the elderly.

People with these issues need to find what may trigger their allergies, find ways to reduce exposure and consider appropriate treatments. Allergies are a major public health concern, among the country’s most common, but most overlooked, diseases, Mendez said.

Although there is no cure for allergies, they can be managed to lessen their severity.

One of the most common conditions is allergic rhinitis, better known as “hay fever.” It causes symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy and runny nose, watery eyes and itchy nose, eyes or on the roof of the mouth.

Hay fever afflicts about 18% of children, although, according to AAFA, it is most prevalent in southern and southeastern states.

The AAFA advises these precautions for allergy-sufferers when high pollen prevails: check daily pollen counts and plan outdoor activities when the counts are lower, keep windows closed, use central air conditioning with a certified asthma and allergy filter, wear a hat and sunglasses when outdoors, take a shower and shampoo hair before going to bed, change and wash clothes after outdoor activities, dry laundry in a clothes dryer not on an outdoor line, wipe off pets with a towel before they enter your home, remove your shoes when returning from being outside and use a nasal rinse to flush inhaled pollen.

Allergy-sufferers also should consult their doctor or specialist to determine which type of medication should be taken to reduce the effects of allergies.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com