Pollen counts take toll on Las Vegans

Thursday, March 13, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

This time of year, Dr. James Christensen's office fills early -- with allergy patients seeking relief from blooming mulberry trees.

Christensen, too, suffers from the allergy, and he is availing himself of an even better remedy than the drugs he prescribes.

"I'm leaving town tonight," Christensen said Wednesday.

He has an out-of-state business trip planned that will bring him some relief from the pollen.

Before leaving, he offered advice for allergy sufferers who can't do as he's doing.

Antihistamines will relieve symptoms, but nasal steroid sprays are best, he said, because there are virtually no known side effects.

To avoid mulberry pollen, keep doors and windows closed, run house fans, change filters in the heating/cooling system and shower after coming in from outdoors.

Mulberry pollen counts went from zero Friday into the thousands on Sunday, said Mike Naylor, director of the Clark County Health District's Air Pollution Control Division.

Four sites around the valley had extremely high counts of the pollen that appears like fuzzy caterpillars on mulberry trees growing in many older neighborhoods and parks around the Las Vegas Valley.

The highest count appeared at Griffith Elementary School near the Meadows Mall -- 3,854 grains per cubic meter, Naylor said. This site set the mulberry pollen count record last year in March with a reading of 37,000 grains.

The second-worst count was recorded near Nellis Boulevard and Sahara Avenue with 1,632 grains.

Squires Park in North Las Vegas read 1,623 grains and KLVX Channel 10 at Flamingo Road and Eastern Avenue measured 1,096 grains.

Any reading over 100 grains is considered high.

Unfortunately, those sensitive to mulberry pollen have about three weeks to suffer from allergic symptoms, Christensen said. "I have no idea how bad the season will be. Time will tell," he said.

In a month, olive tree pollen will spew into the air, followed by grasses.