Why does grass make me itchy?

Then, you've been rolling effectually in the grass with the kids and the dog… sounds like a load of fun to me! Do yous know what's Not fun? The stinging itch that creeps in shortly afterwards.

children playing in a sprinkler on a sunny patch of grass.
Fun in the sun.

I've been wondering what causes the itch and hither'south what I plant:

The most common reasons for grass rash are allergic reactions to pollen, microscopic cuts and bug bites. I encompass all iii below forth with treatments and preventative measures.

Is it a grass allergy?

I can come across how information technology would be easy to recollect that. After all, "hay fever" or "seasonal allergic rhinitis" is when pollen furnishings the fungus membranes of the nose, throat and eyes causing itching, swelling and sneezing.

Every bit with anything…. if you feel constriction of your airways, bloated tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting, or a weak and rapid pulse you lot demand to seek medical aid immediately (phone call 9-1-ane) every bit it may exist a sign of severe allergic reaction.

Many people are mildly sensitive to different types of pollen, all of which can be carried on a soft breeze and settle on peak of the grass. Rolling around or sliding into dwelling could potentially rub the allergens into the skin causing an itchy inflammatory response.

The best remedy for this would be to:

  • Gently launder or wipe the offending pollen/allergens off of the peel, pilus, wearing apparel… ahh, baby wipes to the rescue!
  • Modify wear after outdoor activities. You don't want to track that pollen effectually the house!
  • Employ an anti-crawling lotion to the effected expanse to soothe and at-home the area.
  • Blow your nose as you don't want to carry those pesky allergens around with you for futurity assaults!

To forbid or minimize discomfort consider:

  • If you take long hair (like me) tie it upward into a bun while outdoors to minimize the amount of pollen you behave with you lot or rails back into the house/car.
  • Avert pollen the best you can by not being outside on windy days if at all possible. Avoid grassy areas before noon every bit this is when pollen counts are at their acme.
  • Wear protective clothing even if it means tossing on a calorie-free jacket or changing into a pair of pants/leggings.
baby sitting in a grassy park
Don't permit itchy grass stop you from enjoying your summer!

Is it microscopic cuts and scrapes?

Ever await at a piece of grass under a microscope? The edges wait like saw blades! "Blades" of grass, eh? This explains why I sometimes experience similar I have a million tiny paper cuts later a romp in the grass.

Why just sometimes? Is information technology quality of the grass variety? Mayhap. Exposure to the sun afterwards? Maybe.

I've found that my skin but really gets irritated when information technology comes into contact with water. Whether it's from sweat, sticking my artillery in sudsy dish water, taking a shower, using a wet wipe to clean an ice cream spill off my leg (#momlife), wiping downward my children, letting the kids run through the sprinklers… that'due south when the stinging itch strikes.

This leads me to believe the skin irritation is due to microscopic cuts and scrapes on the surface of my skin.

Find relief with:

  • Antihistamine creams containing hydrocortisone.
  • Ointments or salves containing camphor or menthol. Campho-phenique has been my longstanding favorite for everything from bites, scrapes to burns.
  • (For more natural remedies, see the treatments for bug bites below as they work for both.)

Our new line of defense is:

  • Wear long pants (at least) to the playground/park. This non simply helps prevent grass irritation on a major surface area of the trunk only it reduces skinned knees besides.
  • Proceed a soothing lotion on hand. I keep a tube or spray in my car to apply after playing in the grass. Aveeno, Benadryl, Gold Bond… just something to baby the skin and adjourn the itch.
  • Use a picnic blanket. Years ago I was gifted a "Lightspeed" brand foldable, waterproof picnic blanket and it is pinnacle-notch. (Thanks Alexis!) I'll tell you I can be holding an infant in 1 arm and FOLD the picnic coating upwardly with the other. It makes me experience similar a superhero mom. We've been using it for the last ten years (yet looks new) and they are still being sold on Amazon. Become get yourself one!

It really helps knowing that the discomfort, crawling and rash can but come from niggling cuts from grass and is temporary. Knowing when to expect it also minimizes the stress and allows me to plan accordingly.

minimize grass rash with a picnic blanket
My "Lightspeed" brand picnic blanket has been EVERYWHERE with us.

Insect bites?

A few folks are quick to point out that bug bites could also exist the culprit.

  • Mosquitoes and no-run into-ums tend to come out around sunset and dawn, especially in areas shut to water.
  • Chiggers, fleas and ants could also exist present and account for itchy welts.

Soothe bites with a few of these strategies:

  • Utilise absurd/cold compresses of washcloth soaked with water and a splash of vinegar, damp teabags (used or not) or the within of banana peel (to soothe and moisturize). Keep information technology chilled if possible to restrict blood vessels, reducing the spread of the allergy response.
  • Dearest and it's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties are a practiced bet for bites. I like to loosely comprehend mine with a bandage to forestall a sticky mess.
  • Aloe (the juice from inside the leafage) can be applied directly and left to dry. Classic.
  • Oatmeal or baking soda mixed with merely plenty h2o to grade a paste likewise makes a classic dwelling house remedy for problems bites.
  • If y'all are covered in bites a soak in a bathroom might be a good idea. Absurd or warm but non besides hot. Oatmeal, vinegar or baking soda tin all be added to the bathroom h2o. Only a big handful or a couple glugs is fine. If y'all are using oatmeal I would recommend a mesh strainer to spare your drain. Grab the one from the kitchen if you really need to!

FUN FACT: Zinc oxide (which is found in everything from diaper creams to cigarette filters to breakfast cereal) when combined with iron creates calamine. And hither I assumed calamine was a plant! Calamine lotion has been used as an anti-itch remedy as far back as 1500 B.C! Whoa.

My idea on zinc oxide was that in a pinch I could soothe a whiney toddler with grass cuts or bug bites past applying a zinc oxide diaper rash cream (I dearest Boudreaux'southward Butt Paste partly because it smells like cookies. lol) I'll toss some in my diaper bag and I'll let you lot know how it goes!

Have a cracking tactic for avoiding itchy grass rash? Delight share below. On behalf of all moms reading this, nosotros'd love to hear information technology! XO