Ash, elm trees pollen starts the allergy season

Coughing, sneezing or wheezing? Allergy season has arrived in the Valley.

The most common things that cause allergies are trees.

"Ash trees, elm trees, there are many trees here that pollinate," said Dr. Mark Shubert.

And, Shubert said, the next few weeks could be even more miserable.

"Mulberry trees and then capping off the season, the olive tree. That usually shows up around the first of April."

The trees are in addition to weeds and bermuda grass now growing.

Several good over-the-counter drugs are available for treating allergies, said Shubert.

"Loratidine, the generic for Claritin or Alavert. We now have Zyrtec over-the-counter or Cetirizine (generic Zyrtec). These are good antihistamines, they are safe."

Shubert said his waiting room is full of allergy sufferers.

"About 35 percent of our population here in Phoenix has allergies of some sort, so it's not unusual to have the phone ringing all the time, no matter what."

The Valley's growth is responsible for the growing allergy problem, according to Shubert.

"As the metropolitan area gets larger, as you put more homes in, more buildings, more landscaping, more plants, there's going to be more pollen."

There are places you can live where allergies are less of a problem, but they have drawbacks.

"A place like Death Valley is a great place to live if you want to stay away from allergic disease," Shubert said. "Unfortunately, there's no work there."

Otherwise, he suggests taking an antihistamine, staying indoors and changing air filters in your home once a month.