Spring brings so much beauty, and, for allergy sufferers, so much misery. Allergies are the most common chronic condition worldwide, with effects that can range from mild (sneezing, watery eyes) to more severe (an anaphylactic reaction).

During the pandemic, the immune system has been at the forefront of our collective consciousness. An allergic reaction begins there, too: The immune system recognizes an allergen as an invader and overreacts, producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which in turn travel to cells that release histamine and other chemicals, triggering symptoms in the nose, lungs, throat, sinuses, ears, lining of the stomach or on the skin, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.

As for the most common environmental allergens, especially prevalent around this time of the year, pollen, dust and mold top the list. Asma Tahir runs the CCSD/UNLV Pollen Monitoring Program, a grant-funded program that keeps track of the pollen and spore count in Las Vegas. Certified by the National Allergy Bureau as a pollen and mold counter, Tahir and her team collect, count and identify pollen and mold around the Valley (including in Jean) at five collection sites.

Tahir says she has observed the effects of climate change here during the last few years. For example, the scant rain that we had last year has had a significant effect on when trees bloom. Mulberry and ash, two of the biggest allergen offenders, came in very late this year, making it challenging to predict when peak allergy season will occur.

“Rain has to do a lot with it, and of course, the wind also. Las Vegas has become a windy city, so the wind can take it anywhere. If you’re on the south side, it can take it to the west side, even though the Summerlin area was built in the 1990s and you won’t see mulberry trees over there,” Tahir says. “So we have seen different patterns, and I think it’s because of the lack of rain or wind. I asked my gardener [why] certain plants are not moving this season—they are not dead but there are no flowers. And he said the plant is confused, because one day it’s windy, the next spring. The next day is 90 degrees.”

Longtime allergy sufferers often call the Pollen Monitoring Program to inquire about pollen trends to get ahead of their symptoms. And while allergies are an inevitable part of life for many of us, there are things you can do to mitigate some of the more bothersome manifestations of the allergy season, including: 

• Identify what you are truly allergic to by visiting an allergist, who can perform skin prick tests or order bloodwork. Knowing your sensitivities, whether environmental or food-related, can help you avoid uncomfortable situations.
• The first line of defense is over-the-counter medication. During an allergic reaction, your immune system produces histamines, and antihistamines can counteract that. You might need to experiment to determine which antihistamines work best for you.
• Do a daily nasal irrigation using a neti pot or a squeeze bottle specifically made for that purpose. Add a bit of salt or a saline packet and clear out those nasal passages of pollen and other irritants.
• Windy days are like snow days for allergy sufferers. If you’re able, stay inside and close the windows, tuck in with some Netflix and tea, and call it a day. And while we hardly ever get rain, when we do, make a point to take a walk outside—that’s when the pollen count will be at its lowest.
• Keep the pollen particles out of your personal space by leaving jackets and shoes in a specific area (like a mud room). If it’s a particularly high-pollen count day, shower before bedtime, so you don’t bring pollen into your sheets and blankets.
• Don’t ditch those masks just yet. One day, the pandemic crisis will be behind us, but masks can keep pollen and other irritants out of your nasal passages during allergy season.

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