Grass pollen allergy
Fine in April, sneezing through June? Grass pollen is the most common hay fever trigger in Europe, and it peaks right when everyone wants to be outside. Our test measures IgE sensitisation to grass pollen through 11 grass markers, as part of 300 allergens and allergen components, so you can see whether grass shows up on its own or next to other pollens.
- Group
- Pollen
- Season
- Roughly May to July in central Europe, peaking in June; some grasses flower into August
- Also known as
- hay fever, grass allergy, timothy grass, Phleum pratense, rye grass
Where you meet it
- Meadows, parks, sports pitches and road verges
- Freshly mown lawns and hay
- Outdoors in the late afternoon and evening, when pollen settles
- Indoors on clothes, pets and bedding after time outside
One test, many grasses
There are dozens of wind-pollinated grasses: timothy, rye grass, cocksfoot, meadow grass, sweet vernal grass and more. Their pollen proteins are very similar, so people sensitised to one are usually sensitised to most of them.
That is why lab panels often use timothy grass (Phleum pratense) as the reference. Its main proteins, such as Phl p 1 and Phl p 5, stand in for the group of meadow grasses. Cultivated cereals like rye and maize also belong to the grass family and release pollen in early summer.
What people commonly report
Grass pollen is the textbook cause of hay fever: sneezing fits, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes and an itchy palate. Some people get a cough or chest tightness on high-count days, especially if they also have asthma.
If your symptoms start in May and fade by late July, grass is a likely suspect. If they start in March, look at trees like birch and alder too. If they run into September, mugwort or ragweed may be part of the picture.
- Sneezing, especially outdoors or after mowing
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Blocked or runny nose, sometimes with poor sleep
- Itching on the roof of the mouth or in the ears
Grass and food
Grass pollen links to food less often than birch does. Some people sensitised to grass also show IgE to whole cereal grain extracts, because the proteins are related. That does not automatically mean eating them causes a reaction; a doctor can help tell the two apart.
Phl p 12 is a profilin, a protein found in almost every plant. IgE to it can make many pollen and plant food results rise together, which is a cross-reaction pattern rather than a sign of many separate allergies.
How the test checks grass pollen
Your finger-prick sample is tested for IgE to the grass pollen markers below as part of 300 allergens and allergen components, including trees and weeds. Seeing them side by side shows whether your summer symptoms line up with one pollen or a mix.
A result showing sensitisation is not a diagnosis. Many people have IgE to grass without hay fever. Your lab report gives each value a class from Negative to Very high, to discuss with a doctor, who can also advise on treatment options.
- Timothy grass: Phl p 1 and Phl p 5 (major grass proteins), Phl p 2, Phl p 6, Phl p 7 (polcalcin) and Phl p 12 (profilin)
- Bermuda grass: Cyn d 1
- Bahia grass: whole pollen extract
- Common reed: whole pollen extract
- Rye (cultivated cereal): whole pollen extract
- Maize: Zea m 1
Known cross-reactions
- Other meadow grasses
- Rye grass, cocksfoot and meadow grass are not on the panel separately, but their pollen proteins closely resemble timothy's. Sensitisation to one usually comes with the others.
- Rye (cereal) pollen
- Cultivated rye is a grass and flowers in early summer. Its pollen overlaps with wild grasses.
- Wheat
- Grass-sensitised people sometimes show IgE to whole wheat or other cereal extracts because the proteins are related. This does not by itself mean a food reaction.
300 allergens. One test.
A finger-prick sample at home, sent by post. A detailed lab report typically 5 days after the lab receives your sample, and our plain-English guide to reading it. €300, €1 per allergen.
Questions
When is grass pollen season?
In central Europe grasses flower from about May to July, with the peak in June. Exact timing depends on weather and altitude. Late-flowering grasses can stretch it into August.
Is hay fever always grass pollen?
No. Hay fever is the common name for allergic symptoms from pollen, and trees like birch and weeds like mugwort cause it too. Testing several pollens at once shows which ones you are sensitised to.
My test shows grass sensitisation but I feel fine. Why?
Sensitisation means your blood contains IgE to grass pollen. Not everyone with IgE develops symptoms. A doctor interprets results together with your history, so a positive result on its own is a fact to discuss, not a verdict.
Should I test before or during the season?
Either works, because IgE is measurable all year. Testing in early spring means you have your results before grass season starts.