• Allergies
• Allergic Reaction

Why Does Grass Make You Itch?

Medically reviewed and edited by Payel Gupta, MD, FACAAI

Published: May 07, 2022
Updated: March 14, 2025
6 mins

Grass pollen allergies are among the most common types of allergies in the United States. Symptoms consist of itchiness in the throat, eyes, and on the surface of the skin.

Let’s take a look at why grass can lead to these allergic reactions and the steps to take to find relief.

Understanding Grass Allergies

Your immune system is like a shield for your body. When a harmful foreign substance like a virus or harmful bacteria enters your body, it enacts defensive and offensive measures to try to get it out. That includes sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and swelling.

When your immune system perceives a harmless substance as harmful, it can lead to an allergic reaction. While this is great when the substance is harmful, it can be frustrating when the foreign particles are nothing more than grass pollen or dust mites.

In the case of grass allergies, immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood may react to proteins in grass pollen (the yellow, powdery substance that allows plants to reproduce). People with a higher number of these antibodies in their bloodstream are more likely to have an allergic reaction.

These antibodies trigger the release of a ton of different chemicals to fight off the foreign pollen invader, including histamine, which is responsible for causing a number of the symptoms associated with allergies. This includes symptoms like a runny nose, coughing, and itchy eyes.

Why Does Grass Cause Itchiness?

While grass allergies can make your throat and eyes itch like crazy, physical contact with a blade of grass can also make you feel itchy. Why exactly does that happen? Is it just a normal type of tickle, or is there another reason?

The thin, frail nature of a blade of grass is perfect for making you feel itchy and uncomfortable. If you’ve ever laid down in the grass on a warm day, you’ve probably felt the grass beneath you itch your skin all over. That’s because grass causes microscopic scratches on your skin. When sweat on your body, which contains salt, comes into contact with those scratches, it can lead to irritation and discomfort.

Additionally, under a microscope, health experts can see tiny feather-like hairs all over the surface of a blade of grass. Those little fibers can cause the sensation of itching, similar to an actual feather. Sometimes, those hairs might even secrete a drop of fluid, which only serves to amplify the itching sensation.

Finally, your skin might become itchy and covered in hives from exposure to grass. While this is much less common than other symptoms, some individuals experience rashes from inhaling grass pollen or from touching grass directly.

How Can I Relieve Itching From Grass?

If grass, or any other trigger, is causing your skin to itch, there are a few home remedies you can try to bring about relief.

Use a cold compress

One of the best and easiest ways to relieve itchy skin is by using a cold compress on the affected area. You can do this for about 10 minutes at a time or until the itch subsides. You can even do this if you have a rash or hives, as it can help bring down swelling at the same time.

Apply topical creams or ointments

Anti-itch creams contain active ingredients that can help block the effects of histamine, which is that frustrating chemical responsible for many of the symptoms of allergies. When applied to the skin, these topicals can relieve symptoms such as dry skin, itching, or discomfort.

Be sure to read the labels on these topicals carefully before using them. Some of them should not be used on open wounds or areas of broken skin, so take care to avoid any cuts or scratches.

Moisturize

Sometimes, your skin might be extra sensitive to itchiness and irritation because it’s dry. You can help to lubricate your skin’s surface by using moisturizer. Just make sure you use the right type for your skin.

If you have oily skin, you want to use a water-based moisturizer to help prevent breakouts and acne. On the other hand, if you tend to have a drier skin type, you will want to use an oil-based one to replenish natural oils on your skin.

Is it Bad to Scratch Away Itchiness?

An important thing to never do when you feel itchiness is to develop a habit of scratching in the same area. Physically scratching an itch might feel satisfying, but it can do more harm than good.

The reflex to itch is an evolutionary response that people developed in response to the threat of parasites on the skin. That’s why even slight movements or pieces of hair on your skin can trigger the need to scratch an itch.

It’s largely a mental game. The feeling of itchiness is mostly psychological and tends to go away if you ignore it for long enough.

Scratching can further irritate your skin because of the abrasive nature of the action. It might lead to cuts and scrapes in the problem area, especially if you scratch too much.

Furthermore, if you scratch enough to leave an open wound, you leave yourself at risk for infection. This is especially true considering that the undersides of your fingernails might be littered with dirt and debris, which can easily infect a wound if scratched.

Try gently patting it instead if you feel like you need to scratch at an itch. Or, you can use the tips of your knuckles to apply a little bit of pressure and rub the area. However, it’s best to just let the feeling subside on its own.

How Can I Treat Grass Allergies?

While treating the itchy sensations with creams, lotions, moisturizers, or cold compresses helps alleviate symptoms, medications may work better for more severe grass pollen allergies.

Antihistamines

Since itchy feelings are caused by the chemical histamine, taking a medication that blocks its effects makes a lot of sense.

Antihistamines do just that, and there are a few different ways you can take them.

Oral antihistamines are most common, and these are taken by mouth. They provide general, whole-body relief, making them perfect for those who are affected by seasonal allergies or indoor allergies and are multi-symptomatic.

However, if itchy, watery eyes are the main symptom that you’re feeling, using eye drop antihistamines is probably the best move. These are placed directly into the eye, helping to reduce swelling of the blood vessels to enhance comfort and reduce that itchy feeling.

Allergy Immunotherapy

While antihistamines help alleviate symptoms, they won’t treat allergies at the source. This is where immunotherapy comes into play.

Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is an FDA-approved method to treat allergies by physically increasing your body’s tolerance to allergy triggers. It works by gradually exposing your immune system to an allergen over an extended period of time, allowing it to become accustomed to it. After the end of treatment, the goal is that you become less affected by allergies in the first place.

Historically, allergy immunotherapy has required injections. But a relatively new form called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) uses dissolvable tablets that are placed under your tongue. It’s easy, painless, and effective.

How Can I Prevent Grass Allergies?

You might also not need to worry about treating your grass allergies if you prevent them from happening in the first place. And while seasonal allergies can be some of the most difficult to avoid altogether, there are a few tips and tricks for keeping your symptoms at bay.

Check pollen counts

A pollen count is the measure of pollen density in the air. On days when the pollen count is high, you’ll be more likely to be affected by seasonal allergies and co-occurring symptoms.

Dry, windy days tend to be the most inundating for those with grass pollen allergies because the tiny pollen particles can easily float through the air without any resistance. When pollen counts are high, you may want to try to spend more time indoors if possible. Also, keep your windows closed on similar days.

Cover up

Airborne allergy triggers like pollen can enter your body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. So, you can reduce the symptoms by covering these areas when you go outside. Consider wearing a face covering, sunglasses, and a hat to reduce your body’s exposure to pollen particles.

Change clothes

When you come inside from spending a long time outside, it’s a good idea to remove clothing that was exposed to the outdoors. Remove shoes, coats, or other garments that likely picked up pollen particles while you were outside.

If possible, take a shower to rinse off pollen from your hair and skin. Additionally, do your best to keep outside clothes off of your bed or furniture, as pollen can easily stick to these and make your safe indoor haven just as inundating.

Avoid hanging clothes out to dry

There’s nothing better than the feeling and scent of laundry hanging outside on the clothesline. However, these are also magnets for pollen floating through the air. If you struggle with seasonal allergies, stick your clothes in the dryer to avoid any excess pollen getting stuck on the fabric.

In Conclusion

At LifeMD, you can speak with a licensed healthcare provider about how to keep yourself safe outdoors with grass pollen allergies. They can provide you with at-home remedies for treating any symptoms from exposure.

Book an appointment today to learn more about managing a grass pollen allergy.

Payel Gupta, MD, FACAAI

Dr. Gupta holds certifications from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, American Board of Internal Medicine, and American Board of Pediatrics. With a deep interest in global health, she’s volunteered her clinical skills across many continents.

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