Why does grass make my skin itch?

So you enjoyed your picnic in the sunshine. Or you sat on the grass during a concert at dusk. But you got rid of itchy and scratchy skin.

Can you be allergic to grass? Or maybe something else is going on?

The grass has fine hairs

One possible cause of the rash is the physical structure of the grass itself.

blades of grass they are covered with small “hairs” (called trichomes) that can be viewed under a microscope.

They support protect the grass from being eaten by insects or animals, damaged by ultraviolet rays, or losing too much water.

Trichomes can also cause tiny scratches on the skin, and the skin reacts with redness and may become itchy.

Some grass species are also harder or stiffer, so they may appear more “scratchy” when people sit on them.

The skin is a intricate organ and is linked to the immune system. Irritated skin and the immune system recognize that something is happening and release intricate chemicals to do so cause redness and itching.

People with arid, red and itchy skin often find that their skin is extremely sensitive to grass and other irritants such as fertilizers or sprays. For example, if you suffer from eczema (also called dermatitis), your skin looks and feels arid, just like your skin the skin barrier is damaged.

Could it be an allergy?

Grass allergy includes inhalant allergensi.e. grass pollen floating in the air. Symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, itchy nose and eyes, and even itchy ears.

If you have such symptoms, see an allergist can perform a skin prick test to identify specific airborne allergen triggers.

After the allergist collects a detailed history, drops of various allergens are placed on the forearm along with positive and negative controls. A sterile lancet punctures the skin through a drop. After 15 minutes, the test is read and positive reactions show a “bubbling and flare” reaction (a lump resembling a mosquito bite and redness). The allergist then interprets the results.

But in the absence of hay fever-like symptoms, dermatologists can get the job done allergy patch tests to test for contact allergies (dermatitis), for example to specific plants Total.

During a patch test, the dermatologist places a series of tiny chambers (or sticky dots) on your back, each containing a different potential allergen. The test takes several days to get results. If a reaction occurs in the testing chamber, the dermatologist can confirm allergic contact dermatitis.

Definitive results are arduous, however, because these two allergy tests cannot tell whether a rash is due to physical irritation – such as minor scratches – or an allergy.

How can I avoid this?

The best way to reduce physical irritation problems is to limit contact with grass. This may include elementary things such as wearing long sleeves or pants, or sitting on a rug or towel.

Many Australians have arid skin, but they often don’t realize how arid it is. So the application of A basic thick moisturizer for the skin of the face and body can support create a barrier between the grass and the skin. The apply of sunscreen is also recommended when outdoors.

For people who have arid, red or itchy skin or those who feel itchy when sitting on the grass and taking antihistamines at least 30 minutes before sitting on the grass can support reduce itching.

How can I soothe my skin?

If you do develop an irritating rash, here are some tips. You could try

• taking antihistamine

• rinsing the skin with lukewarm water

• washing off potential irritants with a delicate, soap-free body cleanser may be helpful. Then apply another layer of stout, delicate, unscented moisturizer.

If none of these measures support, contact your pharmacist for advice on using an appropriate strength of cortisone cream, which may help reduce symptoms.

Watch out for more sedate symptoms allergic reaction. If, in addition to red bumps and itching while sitting on the grass, other symptoms appear, such as shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest tightness or facial swelling, the person may need urgent medical attention.