Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Bermuda Grass Allergies for 2024

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Of all the grass allergies, Bermuda grass is one of the most common. It is also widespread globally, making it particularly hard to avoid. As an invasive species, Bermuda grass can be very hardy, with the ability to spread easily. It can be recognized by its short length and flat leaves.

Bermuda grass contributes large amounts of wind-borne pollen to the air every allergy season. Grass pollen can be incredibly difficult to avoid, especially when it’s as pervasive as Bermuda grass, but allergy symptoms can be managed and treated. Wyndly can help.

Set up a consultation with Wyndly today for more information, or read on to learn more about Bermuda grass allergies.

Common Symptoms

Self-diagnosing a specific grass allergy can be difficult since there are so many airborne allergens out there. Also, the symptoms and the severity of those symptoms are going to vary from person to person. But if you’re experiencing the following symptoms on days with a high pollen count for Bermuda grass, you might be able to make that connection and pinpoint it as the cause of your symptoms. Here are some symptoms you can watch out for:

  • Runny nose
  • Coughing
  • Congestion
  • Sneezing
  • Scratchy throat
  • Itchy eyes
  • Watery eyes
  • Allergic rash
  • Aggravated symptoms if you have asthma

If you’re unsure if your allergies are the fault of Bermuda grass, it’s a good idea to get an allergy test. This will give you specific information on all of your allergies, so you don’t have to guess.

Where Is Bermuda Grass Found?

Bermuda grass thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, but it can be found around the world. It originated in Africa but can now be found in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Australia, and even Antarctica.

Bermuda grass can grow in many different kinds of conditions, and you can find it in cities, yards, pastures, fields, roads, railroad tracks, and other locations.

Since grass pollen is light, it can travel very far. This, combined with the ubiquity of Bermuda grass, makes it one of the hardest allergens to avoid.

U.S. Allergen Zone Map

When Is Bermuda Grass Pollen Allergy Season?

Bermuda grass pollen allergy season will typically begin in early summer and go well into autumn. Keep in mind that this is the peak season. Bermuda is actually an allergen that can be present throughout the year, meaning you may need to find year-round treatment if you’re especially sensitive to it.

Once allergy season rolls around, taking extra measures to limit exposure will be a necessity for allergy sufferers.

Foods to Avoid

The proteins found in Bermuda grass can also be present in a variety of foods. If you’re allergic to Bermuda grass, you may need to avoid these items:

  • Bananas
  • Citrus
  • Hazelnuts
  • Melons
  • Peanuts
  • Persimmons
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
  • Zucchini

These are just a few foods that could cause an allergic reaction due to their shared proteins with Bermuda grass. If you’re having a reaction to one of these foods, your mouth may itch or tingle. You should let your doctor know if this occurs and seek immediate medical attention if your reaction is severe.

Oral Allergy Syndrome Pollen and Food Cross-Reactivity Chart

Testing and Diagnosis

Narrowing down the source of your allergies is the best way to treat them and reduce your exposure. You can identify a Bermuda grass allergy easily through allergy testing. The easiest way to get an allergy test is with an at-home finger prick test.

 

 

Here’s how different allergy testing options work:

Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office

Skin prick testing is a method of allergy testing that involves a time-consuming doctor’s office appointment and some irritating, slightly painful testing. The doctor or nurse will introduce various allergens to the surface of your skin using a needle. After pricking your skin with the needle, they’ll wait to see if itching, redness, or swelling occurs. If you don’t want to deal with the discomfort and inconvenience of this method, we recommend an at-home test through Wyndly.

Modern and Efficient At-Home Method

  1. Purchase your at-home test through Wyndly. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
  2. Follow the instructions and send your sample in. Our test is easy to take. Just do a quick finger-prick and send us your sample.
  3. Receive your personal allergy profile. We’ll test your sample and develop your allergy profile. A doctor will be in touch to make your personalized treatment plan.

We make it as simple as possible to get your results fast. After your test, you’ll have a good path forward for relief from your allergy symptoms.

Treatment and Remedies

Treating a Bermuda grass allergy may take some time, but there are various methods to try. The first thing you need to do is try to keep your exposure to a bare minimum.

Limiting Exposure

The less pollen you expose yourself to, the less severe your symptoms will be. Avoiding grass pollen can be difficult, but by taking certain measures, you can ensure it affects you less than it would otherwise. Here are some things you can do to limit your Bermuda grass pollen exposure:

  • Look at the pollen count every day: The first thing you should do every morning is check the pollen count. If it’s supposed to be high for the day, see if you can stay indoors as much as possible.
  • Wear a mask, hat, and/or sunglasses: If you do need to go outside during high pollen days, it helps to wear a mask, hat, and sunglasses to protect your nose, mouth, and eyes from pollen. If you have an N95 mask, that will do the best job.
  • Mow the lawn often: Shorter grass won’t release as much pollen, so try to keep your grass trimmed. Also, have someone else mow your lawn if possible.
  • Clean yourself and your home: Do laundry often, wash your bedding once a week, and bathe yourself often. Pollen is sticky and can get everywhere. By washing your clothes, bedding, hair, face, and body, you can get rid of as much of it as possible in your home. It also helps to vacuum often with a HEPA filter vacuum.
  • Run the A/C and close windows: It might run up the electricity bill a bit, but running the A/C, using a HEPA filter, and using a dehumidifier can help reduce allergens inside. Having windows open allows pollen to blow in, so try to keep them closed.

While you should always try to limit exposure, this might not always bring you total relief. You may need to take allergy medications as well.

Medications

Allergy medications can manage symptoms and help prevent them if taken early in the day. Here are the allergy meds you’ll likely take:

  • Over-the-counter: Over-the-counter allergy meds can help most allergy sufferers. Here are some options that you can buy at your local pharmacy:
    • Antihistamines: When your immune system reacts to an allergen, it produces antibodies and histamine, which exhibit themselves as allergy symptoms. Antihistamines inhibit histamine, helping you get relief in the short term.
    • Nasal sprays: If congestion and runny nose are causing you issues, you might try a nasal spray. This helps reduce swelling in the nasal passages and clear out pollen.
    • Eye drops: Eye drops help with itchy eyes by clearing your eyes of pollen.
  • Prescription: If all else fails, you may want to look into prescription medications. Ask your doctor if they recommend going this route.

If you’re seeking long-term relief, you may want to consider sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops.

Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops

Allergy drops are a form of immunotherapy. Also known as sublingual immunotherapy, these are administered under your tongue. You’re given small, increasing doses of an allergen so that your body learns to ignore your allergy triggers. This helps you find long-term relief from your allergies.

Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly

Wyndly is the best way to get a personalized treatment plan for your allergies. All you have to do is get our at-home allergy test and send it back, and we take care of the rest. If you’re a good candidate for immunotherapy, we can also deliver you allergy drops on a regular basis to help you find long-term relief.

If you’re sick of dealing with allergies, let Wyndly help. Wyndly doctors are ready to make you a personalized treatment plan to give you an allergy-free life.

Bermuda Grass Allergy FAQs

Here are some more frequently asked questions about Bermuda grass.

Is Bermuda grass really found worldwide?

Bermuda grass is capable of growing nearly anywhere and is drought resistant, so it’s very hardy.

Are Bermuda grass allergies deadly?

While it’s not very likely, people can have severe reactions.

Will my mask for COVID-19 protect me from Bermuda grass?

While facial coverings are useful for blocking pollen, not all coverings will block the same amount. N95 will be the best. Cloth masks can help, but they’ll need to be washed often to prevent pollen buildup.

Can I get rid of Bermuda from my yard?

Unless you’re replacing your yard with turf, it will be difficult to remove Bermuda grass entirely. However, keeping it mowed and short can reduce the amount of pollen it releases.

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