A new national report is putting the Carolinas in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America released its 2026 Allergy Capitals report, ranking the 100 largest U.S. metro areas based on how difficult they are for people with seasonal allergies.
A total of 3 cities in the Carolinas landed among the top 20 worst in the nation – the most of any area of the country.
According to the report, the Carolina rankings include:
- Raleigh – #7 (Top 10 worst in the U.S.)
- Greenville – #10 (Top 10 worst in the U.S.)
- Winston-Salem – #19 (Top 20 worst in the U.S.)
All three cities ranked among the top 20 most challenging places in America for seasonal allergies.
The rankings are based on three key factors: tree, grass, and weed pollen levels, use of over-the-counter allergy medications, and access to board-certified allergists.
The report also highlights a growing trend. Allergy seasons are becoming longer and more intense.
Researchers say climate change is a major driver, with warmer temperatures, heavier rainfall, and drought fueling stronger pollen production. In some parts of the country, pollen is now present nearly year-round.
More than 106 million Americans are currently living with allergies or asthma, according to the report.
For residents across the Charlotte region and the Carolinas, the findings confirm what many already feel each spring.
Longer allergy seasons and higher pollen levels mean more days dealing with congestion, sneezing, and respiratory irritation, with little relief in sight as conditions continue to worsen.
