Jacksonville Faces Allergy Surge This Spring

Jacksonville's beautiful spring marred by rising pollen counts, affecting many residents' allergies.

News Summary

As spring blooms in Jacksonville, Florida, the city has been ranked 20th worst in the U.S. for pollen allergies, marking a significant jump from 71st place last year. With a concerning score of 76.44, residents are encouraged to take precautions to manage allergy symptoms. Experts advise checking pollen counts, limiting outdoor activities on high pollen days, and adopting simple strategies to minimize allergen exposure. As the pollen levels rise, locals must stay informed and proactive to enjoy the season sneeze-free.

Jacksonville: A Spring of Sneezes and Scores

Spring is in full bloom here in Jacksonville, Florida, and while the weather is warming up and flowers are blooming, so are the allergies! According to a recent report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), Jacksonville has made quite the leap in the rankings of cities most affected by pollen allergies. This year, our sunny city landed at 20th place among the 100 cities listed in the AAFA’s 2025 Allergy Capitals report, earning the unfortunate title of the worst city for allergies in Florida.

Understanding the Rankings

In creating this list, researchers evaluated various factors like pollen scores for trees, grass, and weeds, as well as the use of over-the-counter allergy medications and the availability of local allergy specialists. Jacksonville received a score of 76.44 on a scale where 100 represents the worst possible scenario. Although our city’s overall pollen counts and the number of medical specialists were categorized as average, the report highlighted that the use of allergy medication here is worse than average.

Allergies are no laughing matter, and the data sheds light on a broader trend. Cities across the southern and eastern portions of the U.S. tend to grapple with more severe seasonal allergies. In fact, Florida had nine cities making an appearance in the rankings, but none cracked the top 10, which says something about how prevalent pollen allergies are around here.

Jacksonville’s Allergic Upturn

Interestingly, Jacksonville made a significant jump from 71st place last year to 20th this year. What’s the reason behind this leap? Well, it seems that higher scores for weed pollen played a considerable role. Perhaps it’s time for residents to brace themselves as the pollen levels increase.

Staying Ahead of the Allergy Curve

As spring progresses, it’s worth looking into some helpful strategies recommended by experts to ease those pesky allergy symptoms. Some practical tips include:

Check the daily pollen counts before planning outdoor activities.
Limit your outdoor time during high pollen days to minimize exposure.
Consider using nasal rinses to help clear out the sinuses.
Make it a habit to remove shoes before entering your home to keep pollen from spreading indoors.
Change clothes after spending time outside to keep allergens at bay.
Shower before bed to wash off any pollen that may have clung to you throughout the day.

If allergy symptoms persist and become bothersome, it’s a good idea to consult with a medical professional regarding the use of over-the-counter medications or possible prescriptions. After all, a sneeze-free spring is a happy spring!

Understanding the Local Allergy Landscape

Palatably speaking, allergies can thrive under warmer climates, leading to prolonged allergy seasons when compared to colder locales. This means more time scratching those itchy eyes and reaching for tissues! Jacksonville residents, it may be time to load up on allergy remedies and keep those nasal sprays and antihistamines handy.

To summarize, Jacksonville’s position in the AAFA rankings highlights a growing concern for many locals as they face the changing seasons. By being proactive and informed, we can all enjoy our beautiful city, pollen and all! Remember, the brighter days of spring don’t need to be clouded by allergy issues.