Roanoke was not named one of this spring's "Allergy Capitals," a list of high-pollen cities where allergy sufferers suffer the most. But there's still trouble in the air.

Lexington, Ky., topped the rankings, compiled by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, with Greensboro, N.C., and Johnson City, Tenn., close behind.

"If your nearby cities are in the top 10 that's not good news," said Angel Waldron, a spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C.-based group.

Oak, maple and elm trees are some of the usual culprits across the Southeast, making it one of the worst regions for spring allergies, she said. And though anyone with weepy eyes or a case of the sniffles already knows it, pollen seems to collect in the Roanoke Valley.

"The valley ... works like a plate," said Dr. George Abraham, a Roanoke allergist who has noticed a seasonal uptick in patients at Allergy & Asthma Associates.

Dr. Saju Eapen compared it to a different piece of tableware.

"People talk about the bowl effect," said Eapen, an allergist with the Asthma & Allergy Center of Roanoke. Did that make this a particularly bad season for local folks? "Every year seems like a bad one to the person with symptoms."

And their number is growing. About 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, according to Johnson & Johnson, maker of the antihistamine, Benadryl. Eapen said he has seen "an explosion" in the number of people with allergies, too, especially children.

In addition, climate change has drawn what was once a definitive four-week season out to six or eight weeks, said Waldron, with the allergy foundation. Allergists are seeing a rise in bookings earlier in the season, she said.

For the afflicted, Waldron suggests a trip to the allergist for an allergy, or skin prick, test. That way patients can be sure they are treating their allergies with the right medicine.

"If you don't want to take that route and you're stubborn," she said, you can try your drug store options -- common over-the-counter choices include Claritin, Allavert, Zyrtec and their generics. Though if symptoms aren't any better in three days, she advised against buying any more.

Local allergists offered some common-sense tips for reducing symptoms: Close the windows and run the air conditioner. Avoid yard work. A bath and change of clothes can help after being outside.

And though at times it may seem like nothing will do short of moving to Arizona, take heart.

"It may work, but for a lot of people it won't," Eapen said. "There are allergens in Arizona also."