Grass Allergies

[agilwolf]

Good day All

 

I did a quick search in the forums looking for info on allergies to grass, more specifically skin allergies.  Only breathing related mentions came up.

 

I get a bad allergic rash on my shins from the grass hitting my legs on the single tracks.  The associated breathing reactions are managed with anti-histamines and inhalers.  This however does not help for the rash and itching that follows on my shins.  It usually takes about a week to clear.  

 

It has now reached the point where I no longer get on my MTB as all the itching is no fun.  

 

Besides maybe wearing long cycling socks or something else that will cover my lower legs, what other suggestions might be out there that can help with this?

 

 

[Sydd]

Good day All

 

I did a quick search in the forums looking for info on allergies to grass, more specifically skin allergies.  Only breathing related mentions came up.

 

I get a bad allergic rash on my shins from the grass hitting my legs on the single tracks.  The associated breathing reactions are managed with anti-histamines and inhalers.  This however does not help for the rash and itching that follows on my shins.  It usually takes about a week to clear.  

 

It has now reached the point where I no longer get on my MTB as all the itching is no fun.  

 

Besides maybe wearing long cycling socks or something else that will cover my lower legs, what other suggestions might be out there that can help with this?

I have an allergy to rye grass - mostly causes terrible sinus and chest issues but does sometimes result in a bad skin rash. I have urticaria as well usually flaring up with other things...

 

Have you tried rubbing aloe sap onto the rash? I get terrible reactions to bee stings, mosquito bites, spiders, flies, anything that moves. The only thing that works is aloe gel, even a cortisone cream or oral cortisone (with TUE's etc etc)  in extreme cases doesn't come close to help. 

[quintonb]

I have the same issue with grass against my legs when mountain biking. I also get hey-fever and take Loratadine daily. After a ride I take an extra one if the rash is bad.

Try some kind of antihistamine and see what works for you. 

[Karman de Lange]

There lots of home remedies that might work, but I went to doc after year of beeing alergic to something in the garden, red dots and burning itch 2 -3 times / day (I'm often in garden)

 

Doc prescribed Levogex , its a anti histamine but specific for skin rashes .. I can almost kiss him, no more itching now for a week (1 pill per day)

Edited March 18, 2020 by Karman de Lange

[RobertWhitehead]

You can get some Texa over the counter and drink one a day (not as strong as the above mentioned ones - also not too sure that this will help though) 

 

The other alternative may be some compression socks that go up to the knee or just below it?

[JBK]

You can get some Texa over the counter and drink one a day (not as strong as the above mentioned ones - also not too sure that this will help though)

 

The other alternative may be some compression socks that go up to the knee or just below it?

I take Texa every morning since Jan this year - seems that allergies are worse now more than ever - but also this time of year after the Dec / Jan rains.

 

Long socks is pretty much the best measure for itchy legs though - we also try avoid the thicker grass 1st thing in the morning when it's still wet with dew.

[arendoog]

I had to abandon a buffelsdrift ride recently because of itching and rash over my legs and shins recently .The pollen count for grass and weeds are high for Gauteng area .Go to realpollencount .Aterax or variants there off work well .Allerway 5 {levoceterizine]  is the active part of aterax and can be bought over the counter .It works better than loratidien 

Edited March 19, 2020 by arendoog

[robbybzgo]

Falke make a long compression sock (soccer) that you could use with a protective creme underneath. I ride with them occasionally and they're fine...for MTB'ing.

Allergex is also a fairly good (cheap) antihistamine (non drowsy available too...) 

[agilwolf]

Thank you for the replies. 

 

I do take antihistamines before rides, but not on a daily basis.  I'm not fond of taking pills or meds of any kind.

 

So there are 3 things I can take from the replies:

1. Use antihistamines daily
2. Apply some sort of lotion / gel onto the skin, medical professional to advise on this
3. Wearing long socks ...

[V12man]

 

Thank you for the replies.

 

I do take antihistamines before rides, but not on a daily basis. I'm not fond of taking pills or meds of any kind.

 

So there are 3 things I can take from the replies:

• Use antihistamines daily
• Apply some sort of lotion / gel onto the skin, medical professional to advise on this
• Wearing long socks ...

Medicaĺly you have most of the options already except doing a proper allergy panel and taking treatment from there by an allergy specialist.

 

Practically, You can try a visible layer of talcum powder - this works for fiberglass dust but what will happen once you start sweating I dont know.

[Chris_]

 

Thank you for the replies. 

 

I do take antihistamines before rides, but not on a daily basis.  I'm not fond of taking pills or meds of any kind.

 

So there are 3 things I can take from the replies:

1. Use antihistamines daily
2. Apply some sort of lotion / gel onto the skin, medical professional to advise on this
3. Wearing long socks ...

 

 

4. Stick to road cycling

 

Socks, compression is surely the way to go.

[agilwolf]

4. Stick to road cycling

 

Socks, compression is surely the way to go.

 

That's what I'm doing right now, but I do miss going into the veld where there's no one around me except my son and the young lad I'm "coaching" ...