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 For some springtime signifies birds chirping, baby lambs frolicking, and flowers in bloom. In contrast for seasonal allergy sufferers - in particular those allergic to grass and pollens - spring is the start of watery eyes, pockets full of tissues, anti-histamines and nasal sprays.
Seasonal grass allergies are common, with up to 15% of school-age children experiencing allergies to grass and pollens. Unfortunately, children will not out-grow these allergies, and they will stay with them into adult-hood.
What is an allergy to grass or trees? A tree or grass allergy is a seasonal allergy, with the allergen trigger usually only present in the seasons of spring and summer. This differs from a perennial allergy, such as dust mites and pet dander, which occurs all year-round.
Allergies occurring in spring are likely to be the result of pollens from trees such as oak, maple, elm and birch. Grass allergies are more common from late spring, through to early summer, with grass pollen being at its highest.
Symptoms: Tree and grass allergies are often mistaken for hay fever, and can also initially be misdiagnosed as a cold, with the symptoms closely mimicking each other.
Symptoms of allergies to trees and grass include:
- sneezing
- runny nose
- watering, red, itchy eyes
- fatigue
If you seem to have an on-going cold in spring and summer time, monitor your symptoms, as you may be allergic to grass or pollens. Factors that effect grass allergies include wind and rain, as pollens travel easily in these conditions.
Can I prevent this?
There is no doubt that suffering silently through seasonal allergies is miserable. Unlike food or pet allergies, tree and grass allergies can be challenging as they are harder to avoid as they are present in the air. Although you cannot prevent seasonal allergies, determining what you are allergic to, followed by preventative measures, will ensure your allergic symptoms are kept to a minimum.
- Stay indoors when possible on windy days.
- Keep windows closed on windy days and when the pollen count is high.
- Be aware that levels of pollen are most active between 5.00 am – 10.00.
- Holiday by the sea in peak allergy season, beach environments are more pollen-free.
- Ensure your home is not surrounded by trees or grass pollens you are allergic to.
- Do not hang washing outside on windy days.
- Avoid moving the lawn, and grass cutting duties.
Allergy testing:
If your allergy symptoms are on going, you may want to consider seeing an allergy specialist to undergo allergy test. Your doctor will be able to refer you to an allergy specialist or hospital, which has an allergy clinic.
Through skin prick tests or a blood test (RAST), an allergy specialist can determine what pollens and grasses you are allergic to. Treatment options such as allergy shots will then be discussed with you.
Treatments Symptomatic medications such as nose sprays and anti-histamine tablets are available for seasonal allergy sufferers. Consider natural therapies such as acupuncture and herbalists. The most effective treatment, when possible, is avoiding exposure to the allergen in the first place.
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