Your lawn is fully grown with a luxuriant growth of grass. Your dream of having a perfect suburban property is now true. But every time you take a walk in the grass with your family, you start itching. You may experience itching around your ankles or on any part of your body exposed to grass. Also, you may sneeze or experience a running nose.
You may be wondering why do grass make you itch. Well, the grass species that makes your skin itchy is the Bermuda grass. It produces allergic reactions that cause severe sensitivity if you are allergic. Your skin can also produce sweat and dry dust, which causes you to itch.
You can stop grass allergies by reducing exposure to grass that may irritate you, watch pollen count, and use medication and avoid outdoors. It is important to note that not everyone is allergic to grass.
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Why does grass make you itch?
The grass in your lawn can make you itch for various reasons, such as;
- Grass has developed a defensive mechanism for fighting predators. Therefore, grass has razor-sharp blades and small bristles. If you touch such grass, your skin will be itchy.
- Once we sweat, the salt will get into the scratches and minor cuts, making your skin itchy. To those who have grass allergies, you will scratch your skin and feel some discomfort.
- Another reason you will itch is that on the outer layer of grass, there are small bristles called trichrome, which ensures predators do not chew the leaves.
- It also causes minor scratches on the skin which causes itchiness, especially when you sweat.
- Other grass species produce itchy fluid, which will naturally cause itchiness.
- Grasses also have a defense mechanism called phytolith, which are tiny shards of silicon that prevent the grass leaves from being eaten. If you eat the phytolith, it does not taste good.
- Another reason grass can cause your skin to itch is the pollen that covers it. Some pollen can be from grass or other plants near the grass. If you are allergic to pollen, it can welt and itch, which will cause skin irritation, especially after the trichomes have damaged your skin.
- Some grasses have hairs that cause irritation and itching on your skin.
- Finally, the fleas, mites and even bugs that live in grass can make you itchy. They cause your skin to have an allergic reaction.
Sometimes, after mowing your lawn or enjoying a perfect afternoon in your yard, you may develop itching on your ankles, knees, and lower leg. It can be worse when cutting grass and collecting grass clippings.
However, for people with allergic reactions, such itching may happen on all days when they are walking in the grass.
Symptoms of grass allergies
Some of the symptoms you may have after experiencing grass allergies include
- Your skin can have rashes.
- Red sores on the surface of your skin.
- Running nose.
- You feel stuffy.
- Sneezing.
- Eye symptoms such as itchy eyes, red eyes or watery eyes.
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Remedies for Grass allergies
With the above causes of itching when you walk on grass, you may be worried about mowing your lawn or relaxing in the grass.
You don’t need to keep worrying about why does grass make you itchy since there are various remedies for allergic symptoms. Some of them include;
- Reduce contact with grass, especially when the weather is dry and windy.
- You can find the daily pollen count. When the count is high, avoid outdoors and ensure your windows are closed at all times.
- Take allergic injections if the symptoms are severe.
- Take nasal saline sprays.
- Oral pills can reduce your allergic reaction.
- Wear a mask that will protect you from breathing pollen when mowing.
- Shower as soon as you finish mowing.
It’s, however, essential to note that some of those symptoms are common at certain times of the year. During the dry months, especially when it’s windy, you will be more predisposed to allergies as opposed to cooler months.
Ensure you wear your socks when mowing or walking on your lawn to avoid such itchiness around the ankles. When done, wash up with plenty of soap and cold water.
FAQ‘s on Why does grass make you itch?
How long will my grass allergy last?
It depends on how long the grass pollens stay suspended in the air. It may take longer depending on the grass species. For instance, southern pollen is produced throughout the year.
While the pollen is light and small, it can travel over a longer distance. It’s essential to avoid windy, hot and dry days when mowing your lawns. It will help reduce the level of allergic reactions.
Also read: How do I store grass seed during winter
How can I stop itching from grass?
Once you spend time on your lawn and start itching your skin, you need to remove the clothes and clean the itchy area with water and soap.
If the itching is on most parts of your body, then shower with cold water. Thoroughly rinse your hair and air out your clothes since they collect a lot of pollen which causes allergic reactions.
Can you get a rash from cut grass?
Yes. You can get allergies from cut grass. Common allergy to grass is expected, which can show symptoms such as itchy or watery eyes.
You may sneeze or experience a running nose, develop asthma or have rashes on your skin, especially if you have been carrying grass or resting on the grass with most of your body exposed.
Ankles itch after walking in grass?
Your ankles can itch since you are allergic to grass or your ankles are exposed. Blades that produce juices which react with your skin can also cause itchiness.
While the grass in our lawn can cause our skin to itch, we should not fear outdoors or going for a picnic. After all, we worked hard to have that beautiful lawn. We can take precautions such as wearing pants to avoid skin exposure to grass.
Finding out the total pollen count helps us avoid outdoors when the count is high. If you still get grass allergy symptoms, you can take medication.
You can also go for grass species with softer blades that do not outgrow other flowers on your lawn.
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