LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – As wind roars and trees bloom, officials say pollen levels in the Las Vegas Valley are the highest they’ve been in years.
UNLV Pollen Monitoring Program Lab Supervisor Asma Tahir says mulberry pollen levels are “extremely high,” with pine and grass pollen levels following closely behind.
Tahir says last year’s colder and longer winter delayed the spring season, which could be partially to blame for the high pollen count.
“Because of the cold weather in January we were thinking that it would be pushed back, but if it’ll come back it’ll come back with a bang, and it’s doing that,” she says.
She says everyone will be affected by these allergens differently, and how people are affected could change over time.
“If I was not affected as a younger person or in youth, that does not mean I’m not going to be affected as I get older,” Tahir says.
Luckily, as temperatures climb Tahir says pollen levels should subside until fall.
In the meantime, Doctor of Pharmacy at CVS Health Nicole Henry says it’s not too late to start taking allergy medication, even though it works best preventatively. Antihistamines can block runny noses and eyes, decongestants help to open up nasal passages, and corticosteroids are nasal sprays, she says.
“It is important for patients to connect with their pharmacist, just to make sure there aren’t any contraindications, or reasons they shouldn’t have certain products,” Henry says. “High blood pressure, glaucoma, any types of those conditions can interact with some allergy therapies.”
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