Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Redtop Grass Allergies for 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyRedtop grass is a common, highly allergenic grass species that can be found in most US states. This grass is popular for lawns and golf courses, but it’s not so pleasant for those with grass allergies. If you have redtop grass allergies, there are ways to manage and even treat your redtop pollen allergy symptoms.
When you’re looking for lifelong relief from your redtop allergies, Wyndly can help. Schedule your consultation today, or read on to learn more about redtop grass allergies.
Common Symptoms
Redtop grass allergies may cause one or more of the following common allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Aggravated symptoms if you have asthma
You may find that your symptoms are mild, but due to the high concentration of pollen from redtop grass and how allergenic it is, redtop allergy symptoms are usually fairly miserable. Allergies will usually get worse when the pollen count is high.
Where Is Redtop Grass Found?
Redtop grass used to be a popular pasture grass, but now it's primarily used for erosion control, golf courses, and lawns. Redtop grass is found in nearly every US state with a few exceptions.
When Is Redtop Grass Pollen Allergy Season?
As with most grass allergies, redtop grass pollen allergy season is usually in summer. You can expect redtop grass allergies to start in June and taper off by the end of August. In some regions, the season may start a little later and go into fall.
Foods to Avoid
Redtop pollen allergies can cause you to be allergic to certain types of food as well. This happens when your immune system mistakes the proteins in certain foods for similar proteins in redtop pollen. The reaction is called oral allergy syndrome or OAS and it can cause your mouth and throat to tingle or itch. Symptoms will typically subside on their own in a short amount of time, but you should always seek emergency medical attention if your reaction becomes more severe.
Here are some foods to watch out for if you have a redtop pollen allergy:
- Beans
- Peas
- Cereals
- Peanut
- Melon
- Watermelon
- Carrot
- Celery
Testing and Diagnosis
Self-diagnosing your allergies can be nearly impossible during allergy season. There are a variety of trees, weeds, and grasses producing pollen during this time, and you could mistakenly assume one allergen is causing your symptom when it’s another. Or you may be allergic to multiple pollen types. You could even have indoor allergies. Allergy testing takes out the guesswork, so you can be aware of your individual allergen triggers. Wyndly makes allergy testing convenient with our at-home tests. Buy your at-home test from Wyndly today!
Here’s how different allergy testing options work:
Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, and they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and pain by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Order Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick test to provide us with a blood sample and mail it back when you’re done.
- Receive your personal allergy profile. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through your personalized treatment plan.
Unlike self-diagnosis, an allergy test can reveal the full breadth of your allergies. This way you know exactly what you’re allergic to and how you can treat your symptoms.
Treatment and Remedies
Dealing with allergies throughout allergy season can be miserable. However, if you take the right steps, you can manage your symptoms and make things a lot more bearable. There are even options for treatment. Let’s take a look:
Limiting Exposure
Limiting your exposure can help you keep your allergy symptoms from being too severe. While it’s not incredibly easy to avoid pollen, there are some measures you can take. Here are some examples:
- Look at the pollen count: The first thing you should do each morning of allergy season is look at the pollen count. If pollen levels are high for your allergen, you’ll want to try and stay inside on those days. If you do need to go outside, it can be helpful to wear a mask and sunglasses.
- Stick to the evening hours: Pollen count peaks during the morning and mid-afternoon. If you’re planning on some outside time, it may be best to head out in the evening.
- Mow your lawn: Short grass doesn’t produce as much pollen. If you keep your grass short, you can reduce pollen levels around your home.
- Keep your windows shut: Even if the weather is nice, having your windows open can let pollen get in. Running your A/C during allergy season is a better idea.
- Keep the house clean: Make sure to clean the house regularly during allergy season. Using a HEPA filter vacuum and dusting with a wet rag are two of the best ways to get rid of pollen that has built up in your home.
- Take a shower: If you’ve been outside, you probably got pollen on your skin and hair. Rinsing off in the shower will make sure this pollen doesn’t stay on you while you’re relaxing at home.
- Do laundry often: Pollen can stick to your clothes too. Make sure to do laundry at least once per week.
- Remove your shoes: When you walk through the grass, you’re likely going to get pollen on your shoes. Make sure to take them off when you get home to avoid tracking pollen in.
- Avoid the aforementioned foods: Remember to avoid redtop-related foods.
Medications
While limiting your exposure is generally a good idea, it may not be enough to curb intense allergy symptoms. To further manage your allergies, you can try medications. There are several options available for allergy medications, including:
-
Over-the-counter: Over-the-counter allergy medications are usually your first line of defense. These are easy to obtain, effective for short-term relief for most individuals, and there are even options for children. Here are some OTC meds you may want to try.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines can relieve several common allergy symptoms by temporarily inhibiting the body’s histamine response to allergy triggers.
- Nasal sprays: If you have runny or stuffy nose symptoms, you may want to try a nasal spray. It helps to reduce inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.
- Eye drops: You can flush pollen out of your eyes with eye drops, providing relief from redness, itching, and watering.
- Prescription: If nothing else is working, you may want to talk to your doctor about prescription options.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
If you want true, long-term relief from your allergy symptoms, the best option is sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy treats your allergies at their source, instead of just managing your symptoms. This works by introducing your immune system to small, gradually increasing doses of your allergen in the form of under-the-tongue drops or tablets. This retrains your immune system to ignore these triggers, instead of responding with allergy symptoms.
Sublingual immunotherapy is a safe and effective alternative to allergy shots and can be self-administered at home. Allergy shots require needles and visits to the doctor for doses.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
If you want long-term relief from your redtop grass allergies or any seasonal allergy, Wyndly has your solution. Our allergy doctors can create a personalized treatment plan to treat your allergies at the source. If you’re a candidate for sublingual immunotherapy, you can get your treatment plan delivered right to your door.
Schedule your allergy consultation today if you’re ready to find lifelong allergy relief.
Redtop Grass FAQs
Following are some frequently asked questions about redtop.
If I’m allergic to redtop, am I allergic to all grass pollens?
While it’s possible to have multiple grass allergies, you can also just be allergic to redtop. An allergy test can help determine if you have more than just redtop to consider during allergy season.
Can I just get rid of the redtop in my yard?
Mowing your lawn and keeping your grass short can help reduce pollen in and around your home. Keep in mind that grass pollen can travel for miles so it won’t get rid of your allergies altogether.
Are there any states without redtop?
Redtop is found in most of the United States, but there are some areas where it’s rare.
