Grass pollen is the most common cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, both worldwide and in North Macedonia. Of all the pollens we track, grasses affect the largest share of allergy sufferers — many people who do not react to other pollen at all have marked trouble specifically with grasses.

Why we track grasses as one category

Grasses (family Poaceae) are wind-pollinated, so their pollen is present in the air in large amounts during flowering. Dozens of species contribute to the total load — among the most common are timothy (Phleum pratense), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), and meadow grass (Poa pratensis) — but pelud.net, like most European pollen services, tracks them under one shared category, "Grasses". The reason is the high cross-reactivity within the family: the proteins in the pollen of different grass species are so similar that the immune system of sensitive people as a rule reacts to all of them equally, so separating by species would not give the allergy sufferer usable information. From the same family, but outside the usual category, also comes the pollen of cereals — rye, wheat, maize — which in the agricultural areas of Pelagonia and the Vardar valley further raises the load in late spring.

Season in North Macedonia

The grass season is the longest of all six pollens pelud.net tracks. It runs roughly from May to July, peaking most often in late May and through June. After the main peak, concentrations gradually fall, but because of mowing and the regrowth of young grass, a lower level of exposure often persists until August — a freshly mown lawn can release a short but noticeable burst of pollen even when the peak is long past.

Mowing is therefore an important local factor. Regular mowing before flowering significantly reduces the amount of pollen a meadow or lawn releases at all — early-mown areas contribute less than the unmanaged belts along roads, neglected plots, and abandoned meadows, where grasses ripen and flower undisturbed. When the grass season fades in late summer, ragweed takes over, flowering from mid-August.

Where grasses are most widespread

Grasses grow wherever there is at least a little unmanaged soil, so they are present across all of North Macedonia. The largest areas under meadows, pastures, and agricultural crops also carry the largest load: Pelagonia (Bitola, Prilep), Polog (Tetovo), the Kumanovo basin, and the Vardar valley (Skopje, Veles). In the mountainous areas the season starts later and is shorter, but the hill meadows in June and July are an abundant source of pollen.

Someone who lives next to an unmanaged meadow, a roadside verge, or agricultural land with tall grass is as a rule more exposed than a resident of the dense city center.

For cities in North Macedonia pelud.net does not measure pollen directly but estimates it on the basis of the European CAMS model (via the Open-Meteo service) — more in the article on how the risk is calculated. This is a scientifically based estimate, not a measured value from a local station; this service uses CAMS modeled data for its dynamic three-day forecast.

Symptoms

  • sneezing and a runny nose
  • a blocked nose
  • itchy, watering, red eyes
  • itching of the palate and throat
  • in more sensitive people, worsening asthma
  • fatigue and poor concentration from disturbed sleep

Because the season is long, trouble with grasses can be more exhausting than with shorter seasons — some allergy sufferers are exposed almost continuously for three months.

Cross-reactivity

Grass pollen cross-reacts between almost all grass species, which is why we track them as one category — someone allergic to one species is as a rule sensitive to the others.

In a smaller number of patients, a cross-reaction with food also occurs, though oral allergy syndrome with grasses is less pronounced than with birch. Possible triggers are melon, tomato, peanut, and orange. The reactions are usually mild — itching or mild swelling of the mouth — but it is worth paying attention if unusual symptoms appear after these foods during the grass season.

Treatment

  • Second-generation antihistamines are the first choice for sneezing, itching, and discharge.
  • Nasal corticosteroid sprays are most effective when started before the season begins, that is, in late April, not with the first symptoms.
  • Eye drops help with allergic conjunctivitis.
  • Specific immunotherapy (SLIT or SCIT) for grasses is one of the best-researched and most effective forms of treatment for pollen allergies — in a large number of patients it reduces symptoms and the need for medication in the long term. It runs over several years and is prescribed by an allergist.

Practical tips

  • Follow the daily values on pelud.net and, where possible, plan outdoor activities outside the daily peaks.
  • Grass pollen as a rule reaches its highest values in the morning and around midday — move running, gardening, and longer walks to late afternoon or evening.
  • If you mow the lawn yourself, wear a mask and, if possible, protective glasses; after mowing, shower and change clothes.
  • During the season keep the windows closed in the morning and ventilate in the evening, when concentrations are lower.
  • After time in nature, rinse your face and hair and wash the clothes that were in tall grass.

Note

This is not medical advice. For an assessment of symptoms, treatment, or immunotherapy, consult your doctor or an allergist.