Grass Allergy
What is grass allergy?
A grass allergy is actually a grass pollen allergy. Grass grows in most parts of the United States, but there are different types of grass. Each type has its own unique pollen.
Grass is primarily divided as northern or southern, depending on the regions and climates it grows best in.
Some of the common northern grasses include:
- Timothy
- Kentucky Blue
- Johnson
- Rye
- Fescue
Common southern grasses include:
- Bahia
- Bermuda
- Centipede
- St. Augustine
- Zoysia
Any of these may cause grass pollen allergy. Just because you are allergic to one type of grass does not mean you are allergic to all grass.
What is grass pollen?
Grass pollen is a fine powder-like substance. It consists of microspores produced by male parts of the grass. This pollen travels in the wind to fertilize the female parts of the grass. Grass pollen, like ragweed pollen, is very lightweight and easily spreads. This makes it much easier to breathe in and trigger allergy symptoms.
Talking About the Weather
What’s the spring allergy outlook where you live? Will sudden temperature changes trigger an asthma flare? Weather can play a key role in allergy and asthma symptoms, as well as flu transmission. Allergy & Asthma Network partnered with Weather Trends International to provide forecasting and analysis for people with asthma and allergies. It compiles information about an area’s temperature, anticipated pollen forecast, flu prevalence, and more in determining its forecast.
When is grass allergy season?
Grass allergy season is at its worst when grass is pollinating. For the northern regions of the United States, this is primarily in the spring and early summer (April to June). For southern regions of the country, some grasses may cause year-round allergies.
What are grass allergy symptoms?
Symptoms of grass allergy involve the nose, eyes, mouth or skin. Grass allergy may also trigger asthma symptoms. People with grass allergy may experience:
- Nasal congestion (stuffy or runny nose)
- Sneezing
- Red, watery, itchy, or puffy eyes
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Hives or skin rash (most common with direct skin contact to grass)
People with asthma that is triggered by grass pollen may experience cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness in addition to nasal and eye symptoms.
Is there testing for grass allergy?
Testing for grass allergy is performed by an allergist. This is done through a skin prick or a blood test. This can help to determine which grass or grasses to which you are allergic. The allergist will interpret the test results and discuss treatment options.
What are the options for grass allergy treatment?
Treatment options for grass allergy include over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines. Your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid nasal sprays to help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. It’s recommended that you start taking these medications about two weeks before you typically develop seasonal allergy symptoms.
Allergen immunotherapy is available for certain types of grass allergy. It involves introducing a small amount of the allergen into your body to gradually build up tolerance to the grass allergen so that you become less sensitive to it. This can be done through subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), or allergy shots, which are given at an allergist’s office.
Another kind of allergen immunotherapy is sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This is a small tablet that dissolves under your tongue. The tablet introduces the allergen into the body and helps build tolerance to it. The first SLIT dose is given in your allergist’s office, but then you can take the tablet at home.
How can I reduce symptoms of grass allergy?
Since grass is so prevalent around the United States, it is nearly impossible to avoid it altogether. However, there are things you can do to reduce or minimize symptoms, including:
- Premedicate with an antihistamine and/or corticosteroid nasal spray two hours prior to allergen exposure.
- For eye allergies, use eye drops as needed.
- Avoid grass pollen – pollens are normally highest during peak months (April to June), so limit time outside during these times. Pollen is normally worse in the morning or early afternoon and on windy days, so if you must be outside, calm evenings may be best.
- Shower and change your clothes when you come inside.
- Keep lawns and other grasses cut short.
- If you must cut grass, but have allergy to fresh cut grass, wear an allergy mask.
- Monitor pollen counts and plan activities accordingly.
- Do not dry clothes outside.
- Keep doors and windows closed.
- Wipe pets off after time outside and bathe frequently.
- Take off your shoes at the door.
Some people only experience allergy symptoms to fresh cut grass. You may want to consider having someone else cut your grass.
Are there grass pollen allergy foods to avoid?
If you have a grass allergy, you may want to avoid certain fruits and vegetables that are botanically related to grass. You may develop allergy symptoms if you eat these fruits and vegetables, especially when raw. This reaction is known as oral allergy syndrome.
Foods related to grass include:
- Peach
- Melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
- Celery
- Orange
- Tomato
- White potato
A study in children found that some kids with grass allergy are also sensitive to wheat. There may be cross-reactivity between grass, wheat and other grains. This does not always mean people develop allergy symptoms to wheat. However, if allergy symptoms emerge when eating wheat products, it’s important to see an allergist.
Top 20 Types of Grass That Trigger Allergies in the United States
- Bermuda Grass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Ryegrass (Perennial and Annual)
- Timothy Grass
- Orchard Grass
- Fescue Grass (Tall and Fine)
- Zoysia Grass
- Bahia Grass
- Johnson Grass
- Crabgrass
- Sweet Vernal Grass
- Bentgrass
- Redtop Grass
- Meadow Foxtail
- Canary Grass
- Foxtail Grass
- Buffalo Grass
- Switchgrass
- Big Bluestem
- Indian Grass
How grass pollen seasons vary by region
Grass pollen season can vary significantly depending on where you live. Understanding these patterns can help you better manage your allergies.
In cooler regions of the United States, such as the Northeast and Midwest, grass pollen is most active during late spring and early summer, with peak levels occurring from May to July. In contrast, areas with warmer climates, like the South and parts of the West Coast, can experience grass pollen nearly year-round due to milder winters and extended growing seasons.
The Southeast often sees grass pollen spikes in spring and fall, while in regions like California, certain grasses such as Bermuda or ryegrass can produce pollen throughout much of the year. In the arid Southwest, grass pollen is less prevalent overall but can surge after seasonal rains.
By being aware of these regional differences, people with allergies can anticipate when symptoms are likely to worsen and take proactive measures, such as monitoring local pollen counts or limiting outdoor activities during peak times.
How does climate change makes grass pollen seasons worse ?
Climate change is causing grass pollen seasons to get longer and more intense. Allergy seasons are starting earlier in the year and lasting longer. Warmer temperatures and higher levels of carbon dioxide (a gas that plants use to grow) can make grass grow faster and produce more pollen.
This means many people are experiencing stronger allergy symptoms for a longer period of time.
Extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and heat waves, can stimulate increased grass growth. When grass grows quickly, it releases more pollen into the air, triggering allergy symptoms.
As climate change continues, experts believe allergy seasons will keep getting worse. This makes it important for people to take steps to manage their symptoms.
Why grass pollen can be dangerous for some people
Grass pollen doesn’t just cause sneezing and itchy eyes — it can also be dangerous for older adults with breathing problems. A recent study found that high pollen levels can increase the risk of death for older adults with respiratory issues, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pollen can irritate the lungs and make it harder for people to breathe, especially during times of heavy pollen exposure.
The study highlights how important it is to monitor pollen counts. On high pollen days, stay indoors, use air purifiers, and take allergy medications to help reduce the risk of symptoms.
Does eating local honey help with grass pollen allergies?
You may have heard that eating local honey can cure a grass allergy or allergic rhinitis. The idea is that honey contains tiny amounts of pollen, and eating it might help your body get used to the pollen in the air. While this sounds like it makes sense, research is mixed on whether it actually works.
One study found no strong evidence that local honey actually works in controlling or reducing allergy symptoms. Most of the pollen in honey comes from flowers, not grasses. However, another study found some patients did show improvement in allergy symptoms.
What about treating allergies using herbal teas or essential oils? While these might help you feel more relaxed, they do not treat the root cause of allergies or reduce symptoms.
Healthcare providers recommend using proven treatments like antihistamines, nasal sprays, or allergy immunotherapy.
Talk with your doctor before trying these alternative treatments. Understanding what works and what doesn’t can help you make the best choices for managing your allergies.
Hay Allergy
What is an allergy to hay?
An allergy to hay is an allergy to the grass eaten by many farm animals.
To understand what causes someone to have a hay allergy, it is important to understand what is in hay. Hay is not always a single component, but rather it may contain several things.
Hay comes from a variety of grasses and other materials. The composition may depend on the purpose of the hay or animal it is meant to feed. Grasses are a common hay ingredient, including: Timothy, rye, brome, fescue, Bermuda and orchard grasses. Legumes, such as alfalfa or clovers, are also often used in hay. Hay may also contain other nutritious plant materials.
Most hay is meant for animals (horses, cows) to eat. It is meant to provide nutrients.
And what about those hay bales and hayrides in the fall? Well, normally straw, not hay, is used for these fun fall activities. So “hay bales” are actually “straw bales” and are made up of stems (and not seeds). While straw may come from grasses, it may also come from by-products of cereal grains like wheat, barley and oats.
What are hay allergy symptoms?
Some hay allergy symptoms include:
- runny nose
- itchy eyes, mouth or skin
- sneezing,
- stuffy nose
- hives or skin rash
- fatigue
Hay allergy is managed and treated the same way as other types of environmental allergies.
What is in hay that can trigger allergy symptoms?
Allergens in hay may include:
- hay grass, such as timothy grass or other types of horse hay
- dust mites
- mold
- other outdoor allergens (pollens from trees, grass, weeds)
- preservatives, herbicides or other chemicals
How do you know what is causing allergy symptoms from hay?
For some people, that may take a little bit of detective work. Grass allergies are common, so that may be a starting point. While pollens found in the grass in hay can trigger hay allergy, other allergens present can also trigger allergy symptoms. If you think you may be allergic to something in hay, make an appointment with an allergist.
Does hay fever and hay allergy mean the same thing?
Hay allergy and hay fever are not the same thing. The term hay fever is a bit of a misnomer and is formally known as allergic rhinitis. People with allergic rhinitis may have a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or itchy red and watery eyes. Allergic rhinitis is often caused by grass allergies.
People with hay allergy may experience allergic rhinitis, but they may also experience other allergy symptoms.
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Are there other conditions that can look like or complicate allergies
There are other types of conditions that can mimic allergies, but are different than an IgE-mediated allergy. The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment can vary depending upon the condition. Here are some of them.
Food-related conditions that can have symptoms similar to food allergies include:
