Grass pollen allergy
Hay fever triggered by grass pollen, peaking in late spring and summer.
About grass pollen allergy
Grass pollen is the single most common cause of hay fever in the UK. Grasses release their pollen mainly from late spring into summer, roughly May to July, with the heaviest counts on warm, dry, breezy days. When a sensitised person breathes in the pollen, the immune system produces IgE antibodies against grass proteins, releasing histamine and driving allergic symptoms. Grass-pollen allergy affects a large share of the population and often begins in childhood or the teenage years, though it can start at any age.
The classic presentation is seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever: bouts of sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, red, watering eyes during the grass season. Pollen exposure commonly worsens asthma, bringing cough, wheeze and chest tightness, and can aggravate eczema in those prone to it. Symptoms are rarely life-threatening, but at their peak they interfere badly with sleep, concentration and outdoor activities, and famously disrupt exams and work in early summer.
During the season it helps to check pollen forecasts, keep windows shut at peak times, wear wraparound sunglasses, wash off pollen after being outdoors and avoid drying laundry outside. Diagnosis uses skin-prick or specific-IgE tests where confirmation is needed. Treatment follows the usual ladder of antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, with allergen immunotherapy an option for selected, severe cases. See a GP if symptoms are hard to control despite treatment or if they disturb sleep, school or work.
Common triggers
- Grass pollen and products containing it
Symptoms
- Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, nose or ears
- Coughing or wheezing
- Worsening of asthma
Avoidance & management
- Reduce exposure to the trigger where possible
- Keep windows closed during high-exposure periods
- Use air filtration and wash bedding regularly
- Shower and change clothes after exposure
- Use prescribed antihistamines, nasal sprays or preventers
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.