Grass Pollen Allergy

Grass pollen allergy is one of the most common causes of allergy symptoms. Grass pollen allergy is also seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). 

Grass causes most late spring and summer pollen allergy symptoms during April through early June.¹ But in warmer parts of the country, it can be found year-round. It can sometimes overlap with tree pollen and weed pollen seasons.

Grass pollen is light and easily carried by the wind. So even if you aren’t allergic to the grass near your home, you could still come into contact with grass pollen from other locations.

What Are the Symptoms of a Grass Pollen Allergy (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis)?

If you have a grass pollen allergy, you will only have symptoms when the pollen you are allergic to is in the air. Symptoms of a seasonal allergic rhinitis include:

• Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea – this is typically a clear, thin nasal discharge)
• Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion)
• Postnasal drip (mucus runs from the back of your nose down your throat)
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
• Red and watery eyes
• Swelling around the eyes
• Shortness of breath, coughing, and/or wheezing

If you have asthma and are allergic to grass pollen, you may have allergic asthma. This means grass pollen triggers your asthma symptoms.

What Types of Grasses Trigger the Most Allergies?

There are hundreds of types of grasses, but only a few cause allergy symptoms. Your location may determine which grasses may cause your symptoms.

The most common grasses that cause allergies are:

• Bahia
• Bermuda 
• Fescue 
• Johnson
• Kentucky blue
• Orchard 
• Rye
• Sweet vernal 
• Timothy 

If it seems like grass pollen season is more intense and lasts longer than it used to, you aren’t imagining it. Climate change is also increasing carbon dioxide and is leading to longer growing seasons. This means higher amounts of grass pollen released during the allergy season.

Can a Grass Allergy Make Me React to Certain Foods?

If you are allergic to certain pollens, such as Timothy or orchard grass pollen, you may have allergy symptoms in your mouth and/or around your lips when eating certain foods. The name of this reaction is pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS), also called oral allergy syndrome (OAS). 

PFAS happens because some grass pollen is similar to the protein in some fruits, vegetables, and nuts.² Your immune system gets confused and can’t tell the difference between the two. Eating these foods may cause your mouth, lips, tongue, and throat to itch or swell.

You may be able to eat foods that cause PFAS symptoms if you remove their skins and/or cook them. Heat affects the proteins (breaks them down), so you may be able to eat these foods cooked instead of raw. For example, a fresh tomato may cause symptoms, but a person with PFAS may be able to eat cooked marinara sauce or ketchup without symptoms.

Timothy and orchard grass pollen can cross-react and may trigger pollen-food allergy symptoms when you eat:

• Cantaloupe
• Honeydew
• Orange
• Tomato
• Watermelon
• White potato

What Is the Treatment for Grass Pollen Allergy?

If you think you may be allergic to grass pollen, see a board-certified allergist to confirm the allergy. To diagnose a grass pollen allergy, the doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. If they think you have a grass pollen allergy, they may order an allergy skin test or blood test. Your doctor will compare your test results with your history and physical exam to diagnose a grass pollen allergy.

There is no cure for a grass pollen allergy, but you can manage it. There are many allergy treatment options to help you.

Here are some steps to managing your grass pollen allergy:

1. Track the grass pollen count for your area. The local news often reports the type of pollen and count for your area, especially when pollen is high. You also can check for your area’s pollen counts from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology’s (AAAAI) National Allergy Bureau™.

2. Stay indoors with central air conditioning when the pollen count is high, if possible. Keep your windows in your house and car closed too, if possible. Get a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® air filter and/or HEPA filter for your air conditioner.

3. Prevent pollen from coming into your home. If you spend a lot of time outside during peak pollen time:

• Take your shoes off outside
• Don’t wear your “outside” clothes to bed
• Cover your hair when outside or wash it at night
• Wipe off pets before they enter your home
• Shower after coming inside your home after being outdoors for a long time
• Keep windows closed, if possible, during pollen season or peak pollen times.
• Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer or on an indoor rack, not on an outdoor line.

4. Take allergy medicines and start treatment before grass pollen season starts in your area. Find out what time of year grass pollen starts to appear in your area so you can start allergy treatment at least 2 weeks before pollen season begins. Many over-the-counter medicines work well to control pollen allergy symptoms. They can also help eye, nose, and airway symptoms.

5. Talk with an allergist about immunotherapy. There are two types: allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This type of treatment may help give you long-term relief. If you have allergic asthma, your Asthma Action Plan may include some of these allergy treatments to help you keep your asthma under control.

Should I Move to Get Relief from My Grass Pollen Allergy?

Grasses that produce allergenic pollen appear in every state. If you move, you may get some relief for a short time. But you can develop allergies to the grasses in your new area in a few years. Instead, work with an allergist on a solid allergy treatment plan.