BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- There are good places to live and bad places to live if you suffer from allergies. Bakersfield has been named one of the bad places, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

The AAFA identified the 100 most challenging places to live with fall allergies. The rankings are based on pollen scores, the number of allergy medications used per patient and the number of allergy specialists per patient.

Bakersfield ranked in at number 36, not a surprise for Lauren Cagle who says she and her 4-year-old daughter suffer from allergies and asthma.

"Headache, my nose is stuffy. I start wheezing and I have to start using my inhaler a little bit more," she said.

Dr. Ricardo Vega, of the Advanced Pulmonary & Sleep Medical Center, said a high pollen count coupled with the valley's bad air pollution can be even worse for allergy sufferers.

"We have a unique situation in the valley for how our topography and geography is. We concentrate a lot of particulate matter in the air, and pollens is one of them," said Vega.

Even though there is no cure for allergies, Vega said taking antihistamines can help alleviate allergy symptoms. However, he about warns taking over-the-counter medicines without talking to your physician first.

Vega also says using an air purifier and keeping windows closed on bad air days can help with allergy symptoms.

Top 5 Fall Allergy Capitals for 2009:

1. McAllen, TX 2.Wichita, KS 3. Louisville, KY 4. Oklahoma City, OK 5. Jackson, MS