Finding relief from grass allergies

A lush, green landscape may be lovely to look at, but if you suffer from grass allergies, it might be a sight you’d rather avoid.

You don’t have to come in direct contact with grass to struggle with allergy symptoms. Sometimes simply inhaling the air outdoors can be enough to set off an allergic reaction.

Whether you’re walking past a neighbor’s lawn or driving by a freshly mown field, if you have allergies to grass you may experience any of the following symptoms¹:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery, puffy eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Sinus pressure and/or headache
• Hives/grass allergy rashes

Where do allergies to grass come from?

If you notice that your allergies tend to get worse in the spring and summertime, you may have a grass pollen allergy. Each year, grasses and plants release small pollen particles, which then fertilize plants of the same species. Because this pollen is airborne, if you have grass allergies, you may be affected simply by the wind blowing.

Though it may not make you feel any better, plenty of people suffer from grass allergies. In fact, you may have heard this condition commonly called "hay fever." Whatever the name, it’s definitely unpleasant.

Finding out which grasses make your allergies worse can be the first step in avoiding them, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors:

Grasses that most commonly cause allergies include:

• Bermuda
• Johnson
• Kentucky
• Orchard
• Rye
• Sweet Vernal
• Timothy

Ways to avoid and treat grass allergies

If you can stay away from grass pollen, that’s the most effective way to keep allergies at bay. Before you go outdoors, take a look at your local weather forecast to check the daily pollen count. On days when pollen is high, do your best to stay indoors with the windows closed. Should contact be unavoidable with grass pollen, taking a shower afterwards can help reduce your exposure and prevent symptoms before they begin.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to avoid grass in your daily life. Whether you’re headed to work, school, or to simply run an errand, you’ll probably encounter grass pollen along the way. Wearing sunglasses and a hat can help by keeping pollen out of your eyes and hair. When you return home, remove your shoes and any clothing that may have been exposed to pollen. If you have pets who like to roll around in the grass, clean them as soon as they come back indoors, especially if they enjoy sitting on your furniture.

Finding relief from grass allergies will allow you to go about your day without feeling uncomfortable. The following are some of the treatment options that may help ease your grass allergy symptoms:

• Saline nasal sprays. Available over the counter, saline nasal sprays are a non-drug remedy that work by using salt water to help moisten your otherwise dry nasal passages. They may also loosen mucus if your nose is stuffy. Because they don’t contain medication, you can use these several times a day.
• Steroid nasal sprays. These sprays work to reduce swelling inside the nose. They’re available OTC and by prescription.
• Antihistamines. An oral antihistamine reduces allergy symptoms by lowering the effects of your body’s natural chemical histamine, which can make you sneeze and give you watery eyes or a runny nose. This may also help eliminate an allergic rash.
• Allergy shots. Some people who suffer with grass pollen allergies choose to get allergy shots. These injections desensitize you to the allergy by adding small doses to your system. Allergy shots should be given in a healthcare provider’s office under their supervision in case an allergic reaction occurs.

The following are ways to manage grass allergy rashes:

• Wash the affected area: Clean the rash with warm water and a mild cleanser. This removes pollen and soothes the area at the same time. Keeping a cool compress on the affected patch of skin may decrease any swelling and help reduce itching.
• Apply an ointment: Calamine lotion will help calm itching and provide some welcome relief. You can also try hydrocortisone, which is an over-the-counter topical corticosteroid. This will also reduce itching and inflammation.

If you suspect you have allergies to grass, see your healthcare provider who can help identify and treat symptoms.

Published on January 30, 2020

References:

¹https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/grass-allergies