The arrival of spring is a welcome change after a cold, dreary winter. However, for many people the season of renewal heralds stuffy noses and irritated eyes. Seasonal rhinitis can be triggered by pollen from many different types of plants. One of the most common spring and summer allergies is caused by grasses, a botanical group that populates lawns and wild areas alike.

Grasses and Symptoms

Many grasses pollinate in April, May, and the first part of June. People who live in the northern U.S. develop an allergy to grasses such as timothy, fescue, and rye. In the south, the predominant allergy-inducing grasses are bermuda and bahia. Symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion during grass pollen season are a sign that allergy testing may be needed. Additional non-respiratory symptoms may affect other areas of the body, such as itchiness or tearing of the eyes and welts or hives on the skin.

Testing

Skin tests can determine whether a person is allergic to grasses. A tiny amount of an extract of grasses is inserted in the skin with a needle. The immune system of a person with an allergy perceives the allergen as a threat and releases antibodies in response to the invading substance. The antibodies cause the body to have an allergic reaction. If a person is allergic to grass, the body will react to the presence of the allergen by forming a bump at the injection site within 15 minutes of exposure.

Immunotherapy Shots

The most effective allergy treatment is avoidance of the allergen. In the case of a grass allergy, it is extremely difficult to avoid airborne pollens of a widespread group of plants. Patients can take medications to lessen their symptoms, but regular immunotherapy treatments are a more proactive approach. This therapy involves weekly injections of a small amount of the allergen to build the immune system's resistance to it. Once a tolerance of the allergen is established, shots are administered less frequently to maintain resistance. Allergy shots are a long-term solution and it may take months for patients to build up a tolerance to grass pollen.

Sublingual Tablets

An alternative treatment to allergy shots are sublingual immunotherapy tablets. These tablets also contain a small amount of the allergen but are dissolved under the tongue instead of injected into the body. Unlike shots that must be given in a doctor's office, sublingual tablets can be taken at home and don't involve any needles. However, some evidence indicates that tablets are less effective for treating a grass allergy than other types of allergies, such as ragweed or dust mites. 

Related Food Allergies

Oral allergies to certain types of fruits and vegetables are a byproduct of grass allergies that affect many people. Oral allergy syndrome occurs when a person is allergic to a type of pollen and also experiences oral swelling and/or itchiness when eating specific raw fruits or vegetables from the same pollen family. People who are allergic to grasses may experience swelling or numbness of the tongue or lips and itching or swelling of the throat when eating raw oranges, tomatoes, celery, peaches, or melons.

For more information about allergy treatment and testing, contact professionals like those at Mid America Ear, Nose, & Throat Clinic PC.