Description
Grass pollen is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever. In the UK, symptoms are typically worse during spring and summer, especially on warm, dry or windy days when pollen levels are high.
Our Timothy Grass / Grass Pollen Allergy Test is a Specific IgE blood test designed to help identify whether grass pollen sensitisation may be contributing to your hay fever symptoms, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis or asthma-type symptoms during the pollen season.
Symptoms of grass pollen allergy and hay fever
Grass pollen allergy usually affects the nose and eyes, but it can also trigger cough, wheeze, tiredness and skin irritation in some people. Symptoms may be worse after outdoor exposure, gardening, sports, picnics, walking through parks or being near freshly cut grass.
Sneezing — repeated sneezing after outdoor exposure or during high pollen days
Runny or blocked nose — watery nasal discharge, congestion or an itchy nose
Itchy, red or watery eyes — allergic conjunctivitis with irritation, redness or swollen eyelids
Itchy throat, mouth or ears — irritation around the throat, palate, nose or ears during pollen season
Coughing — often linked to postnasal drip or pollen-triggered airway irritation
Wheezing or breathlessness — asthma-type symptoms that worsen during grass pollen season
Chest tightness — tight or heavy breathing during high pollen exposure
Skin irritation or hives — itchy skin, rash or contact symptoms after sitting or lying on grass
Tiredness and poor sleep — fatigue caused by congestion, itching, coughing or disturbed sleep
⚠️ When to seek urgent medical help
If pollen exposure causes severe breathlessness, rapidly worsening wheeze, difficulty speaking in full sentences, blue lips, collapse or a severe asthma attack, seek urgent medical help immediately. Call 999 if symptoms are severe or life-threatening.
What is grass pollen allergy?
Grass pollen allergy is an immune-mediated reaction to proteins released by grasses during the pollen season. When a sensitised person inhales grass pollen, the immune system may produce an allergic response involving specific IgE antibodies. This can lead to inflammation in the nose, eyes and airways.
Grass pollen allergy is one of the most common causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis. It is often called hay fever, although it is not caused by hay and does not cause a fever. The term usually refers to pollen-triggered symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and throat irritation.
-
◆
Grass pollen commonly triggers seasonal allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. -
◆
Symptoms are often worse during spring and summer, especially on high pollen days. -
◆
Grass pollen can worsen asthma symptoms, including cough, wheeze, chest tightness and breathlessness. -
◆
Diagnosis should combine an allergy-focused history with evidence of sensitisation, such as specific IgE blood testing. -
◆
Confirming grass pollen sensitisation can help guide avoidance measures, medication planning and specialist discussion about allergen immunotherapy.
Why test Timothy grass? Timothy grass is widely used in allergy diagnostics as a representative grass pollen allergen. Sensitisation to Timothy grass often indicates clinically relevant grass pollen allergy and may help explain seasonal hay fever symptoms during the grass pollen season.
Why can grass pollen allergy be a problem?
Grass pollen allergy can significantly affect daily life. Symptoms may interfere with sleep, school, work, sport, exams, gardening, holidays and outdoor activities. Many people experience symptoms for weeks or months every year, rather than for just a few days.
Hay fever is also closely linked with asthma. During high pollen periods, some people notice more coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or breathlessness. If asthma symptoms worsen during the pollen season, allergy testing can help identify whether grass pollen is a relevant trigger.
Knowing whether you are sensitised to grass pollen can support a clearer management plan, including pollen avoidance, correct use of antihistamines and nasal sprays, asthma review where appropriate, and specialist advice for persistent or severe symptoms.
What does this allergy test measure?
This is a Specific IgE blood test. It measures IgE antibodies in your blood to Timothy grass / grass pollen allergen. A positive result indicates sensitisation to grass pollen and should be interpreted alongside your symptoms and the timing of your reactions.
| Allergen | What it helps assess |
|---|---|
| Timothy grass / grass pollen | Sensitisation to grass pollen, one of the most common causes of seasonal hay fever and pollen-triggered allergic rhinitis |
A positive test does not automatically mean grass pollen is the only cause of your symptoms. Your result should be considered together with your clinical history, the season when symptoms occur, exposure to grass or freshly cut lawns, and whether symptoms improve outside the pollen season.
Who should consider this grass pollen allergy test?
This test may be suitable if you experience symptoms during the grass pollen season or after exposure to grassy environments.
-
◆
People with hay fever symptoms during spring or summer. -
◆
Anyone with sneezing, blocked nose or itchy eyes after outdoor exposure. -
◆
Patients whose asthma symptoms worsen during high pollen days. -
◆
People who react after gardening, mowing lawns, playing sports or sitting on grass. -
◆
Anyone considering specialist allergy advice or immunotherapy assessment for severe seasonal symptoms.
How the test works
You can complete this test remotely from home using a finger-prick sample, or you can have your blood sample collected in the laboratory.
Order & receive
Your home kit is sent with lancets, collection materials, instructions and return packaging.
Collect your sample
Collect a small finger-prick blood sample at home using the step-by-step instructions provided.
Post it back
Return your sample to the laboratory using the packaging provided with your kit.
Receive results
Your results are uploaded to your secure patient portal once laboratory analysis is complete.
Why choose our grass pollen allergy test?
Targeted hay fever testing
Assesses sensitisation to Timothy grass / grass pollen, a major seasonal hay fever trigger.
Seasonal allergy insight
Useful for symptoms that occur during spring, summer or high pollen days.
Specific IgE blood test
Laboratory-based testing measuring grass pollen-specific IgE antibodies in your blood.
No need to stop antihistamines
Specific IgE blood testing is not affected by antihistamine medication.
Home or laboratory collection
Choose remote finger-prick collection or laboratory sample collection.
Secure results portal
Your results are delivered privately through your secure online patient portal.
Test details at a glance
- ✓Allergen tested: Timothy grass / grass pollen allergen
- ✓Test type: Specific IgE blood test
- ✓Sample: Finger-prick blood sample for remote collection
- ✓Collection: Remote home collection or laboratory collection
- ✓Remote collection: up to 3 allergens can be tested from the same sample from one checkout
- ✓Laboratory collection: no limit on the number of allergens requested from the same sample
- ✓Results delivered to your secure patient portal
How can grass pollen allergy be managed?
If your test confirms sensitisation and your symptoms match grass pollen allergy, management may include pollen avoidance, medication and specialist allergy advice.
-
◆
Monitor pollen forecasts and plan outdoor activities around high pollen days. -
◆
Keep windows closed during high pollen periods, especially early morning and evening. -
◆
Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors to remove pollen from hair, skin and clothing. -
◆
Avoid drying clothes or bedding outdoors when pollen counts are high. -
◆
Discuss antihistamines, nasal corticosteroid sprays, eye drops or asthma treatment with a healthcare professional. -
◆
If symptoms remain severe despite treatment, ask about specialist allergy assessment and grass pollen immunotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Is grass pollen allergy the same as hay fever?
Grass pollen allergy is one of the most common causes of hay fever. Hay fever is the common name for seasonal allergic rhinitis, which may be triggered by grass pollen, tree pollen or weed pollen depending on the season.
What does a Timothy grass allergy test show?
A Timothy grass allergy test measures specific IgE antibodies to Timothy grass pollen. A positive result indicates sensitisation to grass pollen and may help explain seasonal symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion.
When is grass pollen season in the UK?
Grass pollen symptoms are usually most noticeable in late spring and summer. Exact timing varies each year depending on weather conditions, location and pollen levels.
Can grass pollen allergy cause asthma?
Yes. Grass pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitised individuals, including coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. If you have asthma symptoms during pollen season, you should discuss this with a healthcare professional.
Can grass pollen allergy cause skin symptoms?
Some people develop itchy skin, hives or contact irritation after sitting or lying on grass. However, most grass pollen allergy symptoms affect the nose, eyes and airways.
Do I need to stop antihistamines before this test?
No. Antihistamines do not affect specific IgE blood test results. This is one advantage of blood testing compared with skin prick testing.
Can this test be combined with other allergens?
For remote collection, up to three allergens can be tested from the same sample from one checkout. For laboratory collection, there is no limit on the number of allergens that can be tested from the same blood sample.
How do I access my results?
Your results will be uploaded to your secure patient portal. Please create your portal account before testing at ukallergy.carebit.co/patients/accounts/sign-up.
What should I do if my result is positive?
A positive result should be interpreted together with your symptoms and the season in which they occur. If grass pollen allergy is likely, you may benefit from pollen avoidance, medication planning, asthma review if relevant and specialist allergy advice.
Medical references
- NHS guidance on hay fever symptoms, pollen season and self-care measures.
- BSACI guidance on allergic rhinitis and allergen immunotherapy assessment.
- EAACI guidance on allergen immunotherapy for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
- Allergy UK information on hay fever, allergic rhinitis and seasonal pollen triggers.
- Met Office pollen information and seasonal pollen allergy advice.
Covered on this page
Grass Pollen Allergy Test, Hay Fever Allergy Test, Timothy Grass Allergy Test, Timothy Grass Specific IgE Test, Grass Allergy Blood Test, Grass Pollen IgE Test, Hay Fever Blood Test, Seasonal Allergy Test, Allergic Rhinitis Test, Pollen Allergy Test UK, Allergy Blood Test UK, Grass Pollen Allergy Symptoms, Hay Fever Symptoms, Asthma Pollen Allergy Test, Allergy Testing London, Allergy Clinic London.
This allergy test is suitable for remote self-collection or laboratory sample collection. Remote collection supports up to 3 allergens from the same sample from one checkout. Laboratory collection has no limit on the number of allergens requested. Results are delivered to your secure patient portal. This test is for informational and diagnostic support purposes and does not replace medical advice. If you have severe breathing symptoms, worsening asthma or suspect a medical emergency, call 999 immediately.
