Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceCausesTreatmentPreventionWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Causes
Treatment
Prevention
When to Seek Medical Care
A grass rash occurs after the skin comes in contact with grass. It commonly results from a grass allergy, skin irritation, or contact dermatitis (a rash that develops from something irritating that contacts your skin) and affects people of all ages.
If you are allergic to grass or wonder why you get a rash when you sit on the grass, learning how to manage and prevent grass rashes is important.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoPlant dermatitis from contact with a rhus tree.Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
What Does a Grass Rash Look Like?
If you have a grass rash, you may notice a rash on whichever part of your body is in contact with grass. If you are lying in the grass, you may notice a rash on your face or a rash on your neck.
Some people experience red spots on their skin but are not itchy. This is less common, though. Most of the time, itching accompanies a grass rash.
A Word From VerywellIf you develop rash or itchy skin after touching, sitting, or lying on the grass, you most likely have skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. You will also likely have other symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, or red itchy, watery eyes."—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
If you develop rash or itchy skin after touching, sitting, or lying on the grass, you most likely have skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. You will also likely have other symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, or red itchy, watery eyes."—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
If you develop rash or itchy skin after touching, sitting, or lying on the grass, you most likely have skin irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. You will also likely have other symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, or red itchy, watery eyes."
—JURAIRAT J. MOLINA, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Why Grass Can Cause a Rash
Various factors, including allergies, contact dermatitis, and other potential triggers, can contribute to developing a grass rash. Exposure to grass or grass-related allergens can cause ahistamineresponse (chemicals in the body that communicate with the immune system), leading to a rash.
Grass Allergy
If you have agrass allergy, you are allergic to grass pollen. In addition to a rash, a grass allergy can lead to other body-wide symptoms, including:
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitiscan also cause a grass rash. Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin comes in contact with something that irritates you because of a sensitivity or allergy.
In addition to a skin rash,contact dermatitis can cause other symptoms, including:
Sensitive Skin
Grass Is Pokey (Skin Irritation)
You may experience grass rash because of skin irritation. Grass can be spiky, and so if you sit or lie on it, even if you don’t have allergies or sensitive skin, it may still irritate your skin. That may be especially true if you are exposed to grass for an extended period.
How to Treat a Grass Rash: Home Remedies
How do you eliminate grass rash, and doesBenadrylhelp with grass allergies? Many things can help, including Benadryl, especially if you experience other allergy symptoms.
Some home remedies to try include:
If the above at-home remedies don’t work, you may benefit from prescription medications, like higher-strength antihistamines or steroids. Speak with a healthcare provider to learn about prescription medications for grass rash or allergic reactions.
How to Prevent a Grass Rash
The good news is that grass rash can be prevented effectively. Try the following practical tips on how to prevent grass rashes, especially for individuals with known allergies or sensitivities:
If you don’t have an allergy but have sensitive skin or contact dermatitis, you may want to avoid letting your exposed skin touch the grass. If you will be sitting on the grass, wear long pants, socks, and shoes. Better yet, avoid sitting directly on the grass. Instead, use a towel or blanket or sit in a chair. Barrier creams or lotions may also minimize skin irritation.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Like other allergens, grass allergies tend to subside after you remove the exposure. That’s why the best allergy management technique is avoidance.
Here iswhen to worry about rash in adults:
Seek medical attention if you have known allergies or underlying health conditions.
Summary
If your symptoms are persistent or extreme, see a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment for grass rashes. Usually, the rash will go away soon after you remove the irritant.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mowing down your grass allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Grass pollen allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Duarte I, Silveira JEPS, Hafner MFS, Toyota R, Pedroso DMM.Sensitive skin: Review of an ascending concept.An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):521-525. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201756111Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What if you’re allergic to grass? 11 steps to managing grass pollen allergy.Mount Sinai.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mowing down your grass allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Grass pollen allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Duarte I, Silveira JEPS, Hafner MFS, Toyota R, Pedroso DMM.Sensitive skin: Review of an ascending concept.An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):521-525. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201756111Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What if you’re allergic to grass? 11 steps to managing grass pollen allergy.Mount Sinai.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mowing down your grass allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Grass pollen allergy.American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Duarte I, Silveira JEPS, Hafner MFS, Toyota R, Pedroso DMM.Sensitive skin: Review of an ascending concept.An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):521-525. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201756111Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What if you’re allergic to grass? 11 steps to managing grass pollen allergy.Mount Sinai.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Mowing down your grass allergies.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Grass pollen allergy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.
Duarte I, Silveira JEPS, Hafner MFS, Toyota R, Pedroso DMM.Sensitive skin: Review of an ascending concept.An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(4):521-525. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.201756111
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.What if you’re allergic to grass? 11 steps to managing grass pollen allergy.
Mount Sinai.Allergic rhinitis.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Rash 101 in adults: when to seek medical treatment.
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