Chicago braces for bad allergy season

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The long and late winter is causing those with allergies to suffer more than usual this year. Weed pollen levels are higher than they've been in 20 years, prompting an air quality alert to be issued for the Chicago area on Tuesday.

Each morning during allergy season, 85-year-old Dr. Joseph Leija climbs the stairs to the roof of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park to take the pollen count. He uses a machine that was used in World War II to catch poison in the air. Now it's catching pollen, and a lot of it..

"Today for the first time much, much higher than ever before," Leija said. "And the weeds are a big problem for people with respiratory allergies."

According to Dr. Leija the weed count is three times higher than it was on this day last year, putting it in the dangerous air quality alert status. The season for weeds is early and the cold winter made the tree pollen season late. With the grasses right on time, the combination of all 3 is making it miserable for allergy sufferers..

"The allergies have been pretty bad with the trees. The sore throat, the runny eyes, itchy eyes and runny nose, it's been a pretty bad season," said Rick Tervel, an allergy sufferer.

Tervel visits an allergy office once a week to get allergy shots which he says are the only rememdy for him during allergy season. Tervel's doctor says her office has been very busy.

Dr. Rachna Shah, allergist at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, says before taking medication, allergy sufferers should try what are called "avoidance measures."

"Things in this season that would help with avoidance measures would be keeping windows closed as much as possible," said Dr. Shah. "If you're doing outdoor activities, come back inside, rinse off, change your clothes, all that kind of stuff that's very helpful."

If the avoidance measures don't cut it the best thing to do is visit an allergist to determine the best medication to take.

Along with tress, grasses and weeds, the molds are now starting to emerge because of the rains Chicago has experienced in the last week.