Pollen preview: Some say spring may be kind to allergy sufferers

Mathis Winkler

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002 | 9:53 a.m.

Staying healthy

Some tips to avoid itchy eyes and runny noses:

SOURCE: Clark County Department of Air Quality Management

After a relatively mild flu and cold season this winter, Las Vegas Valley residents with allergy problems might be in for a pleasant spring as well.

Clark County health district officials, who track the number of people suffering from fever, coughs and sore throats, said physicians reported fewer cases than in previous years.

And county officials who keep an eye on pollen counts in the area said numbers remain unusually low due to freezing weather in recent weeks.

The cold temperatures "have definitely affected the amount of pollen that's generated," Monte Symmonds, a Clark County air quality monitoring technician, said.

But tell that to Kelley Avist, a 33-year-old pharmacy technician, who says she's allergic to "pretty much everything."

"It's been bad since the wind kicked up," she said, waiting for her biweekly allergy shot at her doctor's office. "There's so many greens out there that shouldn't be out there."

That's a statement the valley's allergy experts agree on, even though they have differing views on what's in store for their patients this year.

"Every year we seem to have a bigger problem," Dr. Joel Katz, an allergy specialist, said.

As the valley's population continues to grow, new residents bring in non-native trees and other plants with pollen that cause nightmares for those who are allergic to them.

"We're not supposed to be trees and grass, we're supposed to be desert," Connie Christensen, a registered nurse in an allergy clinic and a patient herself, said. "We used to be the best place in the country to live for allergies and we're not anymore."

Mulberry and olive trees, introduced to the area several decades ago, have turned into a major allergy problem during the spring. Planting of these trees was banned 10 years ago, but existing plants are starting to reach their maximum pollinating activity.

Since it usually takes years for residents to get desensitized to local pollens, many newcomers find themselves suffering from the typical allergy symptoms of itchy eyes and runny noses each year.

"Windy days always get me," said Anita Wise, who began having problems after she moved to Las Vegas from Florida six months ago.

Her arm covered with tiny spots of blood from her first allergy test, Wise said she was clearly feeling an itchy reaction to some of the weeds and tree pollen extracts the nurses had injected into her arm.

But Katz, who is treating Wise, said the tests have come back negative so far.

Her health problems might not be caused by allergies, but rather a high sensitivity to things such as dust and cigarette smoke, Katz said.

As far as the severity of this year's pollen season is concerned, it is difficult to make predictions, Katz said.

Thinking in terms of allergy seasons in the first place is pointless, one of his colleagues, Dr. Joram Seggev, said.

"In plain English, this is bull," Seggev said, adding that Las Vegas has turned into an "allergenic disaster" just like Tucson or the Phoenix area in Arizona.

"We have enough pollen to cause symptoms year round," he said.