The best allergy medicine for grass pollen depends on your personal goals. If you have a moderate-to-severe allergy or want a longer-lasting treatment effect, allergy immunotherapy with allergy drops or allergy shots may be best for you.

Grass is the most common cause of late-spring and summer pollen allergy symptoms, especially from April through June. (1) However, in some warm-climate states, such as Texas and Oklahoma, grass allergies can be year-round.

If you are planning to spend more time outdoors, gardening, having picnics, or simply enjoying sunshine, without constantly bothering about the pollens triggering constant sniffles, choosing the right grass allergy treatment can make all the difference.

In this article, we will compare the 5 best allergy treatments for grass pollen allergies:

Best Allergy Medicine for Grass Pollen Allergy

Here are some of the best over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription allergy medications to manage symptoms of grass pollen allergy, such as a runny nose, sneezing, red and watery eyes, and postnasal drip:

1. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are medicines that treat allergy symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical released when the body recognizes an allergen.

Examples of antihistamines include Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratadine), and Allegra (fexofenadine)

Antihistamines are available as oral tablets and antihistamine nasal sprays. These medicines are suitable for managing mild to moderate allergies. (2)

It takes about 60 minutes for antihistamines to work in reducing your allergy symptoms. However, to reduce the severity of allergy symptoms, you may need to take oral antihistamines (pills) about two weeks before exposure to grass pollen.

If you want an antihistamine that works faster than an hour, consider nasal sprays like Astepro (azelastine), which takes effect within 15 to 30 minutes.

Keep in mind that antihistamines, especially the first-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), can make you drowsy. If you need to drive or operate heavy machinery, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a second-generation antihistamine (E.g., Loratadine) instead. 

2. Nasal Corticosteroids (Spray)

Nasal corticosteroids are medicines sprayed into the nose to reduce nasal allergy symptoms such as stuffiness or congestion.

Examples of corticosteroid nasal sprays include fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and budesonide (Rhinocort).

Some experts classify nasal steroid sprays as among the most effective allergy medicines for allergy sufferers. (3)

Nasal corticosteroids may begin to work within 2 to 4 hours after you spray them, but some can take up to 12 hours. 

However, it may take up to 2 weeks of regular, consistent use to see a significant reduction, especially in allergy symptoms. (3)

That said, corticosteroid nasal sprays may not be safe for everyone, as they can cause nosebleeds with prolonged use. (3) If you use nasal steroid sprays regularly, you may have to see a doctor for nasal exams.

3. Decongestants

Decongestants are medicines used to reduce nasal congestion and sinus pressure. They are available as nasal decongestant sprays (Oxymetazoline (Afrin)) and as oral tablets (pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)).

Decongestants are the fastest-acting allergy medicines, working in as little as 30 minutes, making them a good option for people seeking fast relief, especially for nasal symptoms.

However, decongestants are not for long-term use and should be used for no more than 4 days in a row. Taking them for too long can worsen your allergy symptoms, leading to a condition called rebound congestion, which makes you feel more congested.

If you have persistent or severe allergies, decongestants will not be suitable for you as they often provide short-term relief.

4. Allergy Drops

Allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy) use small amounts of the substance you are allergic to (in this case, grass pollen) to help your immune system get used to it and reduce allergy symptoms.

Allergy drops are effective in treating a range of grass pollen allergies caused by different grasses, including Timothy grass, Rye grass, Kentucky Bluegrass, and Bermuda grass. (4)

Allergy drops are taken by placing them under the tongue and holding them there for about 1–2 minutes before swallowing. You can take allergy drops from the comfort of your home, and it is easy to use.

If you want a needle-free, convenient, and flexible way to manage allergies and possibly be allergy-free for decades, then allergy drops may be the best allergy medicine for you.

However, allergy drops are typically taken for about 4 years for optimal results, but you will begin to feel relief or a reduction in symptom severity within about 3 to 6 months. (5)

Quello Allergy drops are the best on the market for long-term allergy relief in people with mild to severe allergy symptoms.

Quello drops for grass pollen allergens are made from high-quality standardized grass pollen extracts that effectively train your immune system to respond better to grass pollen.

Over 90% of patients who used Quello allergy drops reported fewer allergy symptoms after 1 year of treatment, and over 60% remained allergy-free for more than 5 years.

5. Allergy shots

Allergy shots (subcutaneous immunotherapy), just like allergy drops, are a type of allergen immunotherapy that involves administering weakened or small doses of the allergens, like grass pollens, to decrease your sensitivity to these allergens.

However, instead of being made as drops placed under the tongue, allergy shots are injected under the skin.

Overall, allergy shots are given for 3 to 5 years, depending on your response to treatment, but you should see improvement in your symptoms within a few months.

Allergy shots are highly effective at relieving grass allergy symptoms but are less flexible than allergy drops, as they require frequent clinic visits. (6)

Everything to Know About Grass Pollen 

• Grass pollen is mainly released from April through early June, although it can last until October in some states.

• Grass pollen is light and easily carried by the wind, so it can travel far distances.

• Common grasses that cause allergies include Bermuda, Rye, Orchard, and Timothy.

• Common grass pollen allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, nose, or throat, red or watery eyes, and postnasal drip.

Overcome Grass Pollen Allergies For Good with Quello Allergy Drops

Don’t let grass pollen allergies keep you from enjoying the outdoors in late spring and summer. Grab your hiking gear, summer clothes, and the right allergy support (a bottle of Quello allergy drops) and get outside.

At Quello, we believe everyone deserves relief from allergies, no matter the season or where they live. Our goal is to help you find lasting allergy relief so you can enjoy every season: spring, summer, fall, and winter, without constant symptoms getting in the way.

Getting started with Quello is simple:

• Get tested: Start with our free allergy testing.

• Talk to a specialist: Connect with a Quello allergy provider to review your results.

• Receive your personalized drops: Get a treatment plan tailored to your allergies.

Have more questions? Visit our FAQs for quick answers or schedule a free consultation with one of our allergy specialists.