Many people who succumb to hay fever in the spring, and especially in fall, do so because they're allergic to pollen. These tiny particulates are an essential part of the reproductive phase of flowering plants and trees. Many of these plants make use of the wind for pollination and since the above mentioned seasons are prime reproductive periods, the pollen count in the air shoots up dramatically and can even vary on a daily basis. These tiny grains in the air land on different parts of our bodies causing the many symptoms associated with this allergy.
When the pollen grains come in contact with the eyes, they cause itchiness and take on a red and irritated appearance. Similarly, inhaling these pollen grains can result in runny, stuffed and itchy noses that can clog up severely, forcing you to breathe through your mouth. In severe cases, pollen inhalation can also cause asthmatic attacks.
People who develop hay fever are often allergic to pollen per se, regardless of which tree or plant it's produced by. However there are people who are specifically affected by the pollen generated by grasses. Grass allergy cases also generally peak during spring and at the start of the fall season, however, they are perennial allergens and have the potential to result in an allergic reaction at any time of the year.
Individuals that are allergic to grass pollen will find it difficult to engage in commonplace tasks like mowing the lawn or even sitting down or lying down in the grass. Such activities generally result in the breaking out of the skin into hives that are very itchy. Such a reaction is referred to in medical circles as 'contact urticaria.'
There are a wide variety of grasses that produce pollen and cause allergies. Broadly all these grasses are divided into two categories based on their location - southern grasses and northern grasses. Bermuda grass is the primary allergen in the southern hemisphere while the northern hemisphere has a few more types including sweet vernal grass, Kentucky bluegrass, rye, red top, and orchard.
As with other pollen caused allergies, the best way to deal with grass allergies is to avoid them. This can be done by taking a few preventive measures. For instance:
- Get someone else to mow your lawn or use a mask while you do it yourself. Either way ensure that your lawn is kept short.
- Make use of alternative plants and covers for the ground. Irish moss, and bunch are great for covering purposes and don't put out as much pollen into the air.
- Make use of a dryer to dry your laundry as hanging them outdoors to dry can cause grass produced pollen grains to gather on the clothes and be taken indoors.
- Try and schedule outdoor chores and activities for sunset hours. This is the time when the pollen grains are at the lowest levels. Heavy showers also help to settle pollen grains lower down making it safer for you to get out.
- Avoid going out of doors until 10 am as the pollen levels are much higher at this time of day.
- Keep windows and doors closed and the air conditioning unit turned on to minimize the entrance of pollen into the house. Take care to avoid people and pets that have just come in from outdoors as they might have pollen grains on their bodies.
Immunotherapy is the best shot at a long term solution. Antihistamines works well for short term treatments. Immunotherapy is often suggested and supervised by a medical practitioner and involves desensitizing your immune system to the allergen by introducing it in small quantities over an extended period of time.
Visit Grass Allergy to learn more.
