Spring officially begins on Monday, March 20th, but many Southern Nevada residents have already begun to feel the effects of allergy season.
Ahhh yes, springtime. All the flowers, trees and shrubs begin to bloom, adding color to our scenery after a dark and drab winter. But, along with all of those pretty flowers and colors, many of us have to deal with an allergy or two. Spring becomes the season of sneezing, sinus headaches, itchy eyes, itchy skin, rashes, and hives. Experts are saying that this year’s allergy season will start earlier than normal, and may last longer than normal. Just great.
As you can see from the photos below, actually avoiding these three types of trees in the Las Vegas Valley may be nearly impossible. They seem to be everywhere. Why? Because they are hearty species that can survive through our dry climate. So, they get planted to adorn the areas surrounding gated communities. They are also planted in front and backyards for privacy and year-round green in our mostly brown landscape.
In fact, according to an article by KTNV Staff on KTNV.com, there are already three types of plants that are no longer sold or planted in Clark County: “green/crimson fountain grass, fruitless mulberry trees, and fruiting olive trees.” They have been banned due to the allergens they release. If you already have one or more of these varieties on your property, don’t worry, you don’t have to remove them, but you are not allowed to replace them with any of the banned plants.
So, how do we deal with allergies? Another article on KTNV.com written by Abel Garcia reports that lots of Southern Nevadans are heading to local allergists who specialize in treating these symptoms and determining what causes your allergy. However, according to Garcia’s article, patients are having to wait three to six months to get an appointment booked. That just goes to show you how many more residents in our region are suffering from allergies.
Experts do have some advice which you can put to use on a daily basis to help relieve your symptoms. Check them out below.
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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
Avoid Pine Trees
We have a bunch of these on our property, and they are all more than ten years old. We would hate to remove them. When we planted them we had no idea that my wife would be allergic.
Avoid Mulberry Trees
I haven’t seen many of these around the Las Vegas Valley, but if you do see them, don’t breathe! Just kidding. I looked it up, and apparently, those berries are edible. Who knew?
Avoid Ash Trees
There are plenty of ash trees throughout our region. And, when the wind blows, watch out. Is it just me, or has this been a windier than normal winter in the Las Vegas Valley?
Use Sinus Rinses
This is a health practice I have been using for years, although my “neti pot” looks a little different than that one. I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to dust and cat dander, although I have never been diagnosed by an allergist. Back when we had a cat, I used to get serious allergy symptoms at various times throughout the year. My doctor at the time told me to start using a sinus rinse at night, and it has helped.
Use Antihistamines
Back when I was suffering from allergies more often, I tried various antihistamine products. The pills and capsules made me a little fuzzy-headed. The spray works better for me. Don’t get hooked on it though!
Use A Humidifier
With our very dry climate here in Southern Nevada, it is good idea to add moisture to the air, especially while you sleep. Using a humidifier will help moisten your nasal passages and sinuses so those pesky allergens get washed away. However, make sure to clean your humidifier daily.
