The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America just released their 2026 rankings of the most challenging places to live if you suffer from pollen allergies, and the news isn't great for folks in the Piedmont Triad. The foundation looked at the largest 100 cities across the country to see which ones are toughest on allergy sufferers. Boise, Idaho topped the list as the worst place for pollen allergies this year. Surprisingly, even some California cities known for their pleasant weather made the difficult list, including San Diego and San Francisco. For those of us here on the Outer Banks, this serves as a good reminder of why many people with allergies find relief when they visit our coastal area. The ocean breezes tend to keep pollen counts lower than inland areas, though we certainly have our own seasonal challenges with different types of allergens. If you're planning to visit family or travel to the Piedmont Triad area, especially during peak allergy season, it might be worth packing any allergy medications you typically use.