Grass Pollen

Grass pollen – just when you thought it was safe to go outside.

Spring is over and you are rejoicing because allergy season is coming to an end.  Summer is in the air.  You step outside and ah chooo…. your allergies kick back in and you feel miserable.  Guess what? You are probably allergic to grass pollen. 

Grass pollen is a common trigger for allergies and symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, red, itchy eyes and that annoying tickle at the back of your throat. 

Why at this time of year?

Grasses tend to start growing in the early spring. In the late spring and early summer, they release pollen into the air. The wind can carry it for miles. You may not see pollen in the air but wind-carried microscopic pollen is the worst culprit for allergies.

Below is the list of most common allergy causing grasses:

·         Bermuda grass

·         Johnson grass

·         Kentucky bluegrass

·         Orchard grass

·         Redtop grass

·         Rye grass

·         Sweet vernal grass

·         Timothy grass

What days are going to bring out the worst in my grass allergies?

Dry, windy days. Wind carries pollen in the air, especially when it's dry and sunny. When it's cold or damp, pollen counts are usually lower.

Eating certain foods. If you're allergic to grasses, your allergy symptoms are more likely to be triggered by certain fruits and vegetables that have proteins like those in pollen. Fresh celery, melons, peaches, oranges, and tomatoes are just a few you might want to avoid.

Unmowed grass. Most types of grass release pollen only when they grow tall. The pollen comes from a feathery flower that grows at the top. If you keep your lawn short, the grass is less likely to release pollen.

Obviously, don’t cut your own grass.  Delegate. 

To help with grass or other pollen related allergies Sublingual Immunotherapy is a method of allergy treatment that uses an allergen solution given under the tongue. Over time, sensitivity to allergens are reduced. In 1998 the World Health Organization concluded that Sublingual Immunotherapy was a viable alternative to the injection route and that its use in clinical practice is justified.