As many people in the Las Vegas valley are still dealing with a rougher than normal flu season, our allergy season arrived earlier than normal.
Dr. Joel Katz, director of Allergy and Asthma Center Las Vegas, says Ash trees began to pollinate earlier than usual, kicking off what will be an intense allergy season.
"Ash pollen is what is causing a lot of the problems at the moment and it's still building up and that's what we started seeing this weekend," said Dr. Katz.
Ash trees are commonly found in Summerlin, Green Valley, and the newer neighborhoods.
Dr. Katz says he's already seen quite a few patients in his office for itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
He says some people are facing both allergy symptoms and flu symptoms at the same time, causing a brutal sickness.
"If you do have fly like symptoms and you have your allergies and asthma, you're gonna get a double whammy and feel much worse," said Dr. Katz.
If you have allergy symptoms, Dr. Katz says over-the-counter medicine works really well if you take it regularly.
It will not work if you just take it once or twice.
You should also stay inside in the morning if you're trying to tone down your symptoms because that's when pollen is the worst.
If your symptoms include shortness of breath and wheezing, you should see an allergist.
