Suspected rye allergy: symptoms and what to do

Triggered by rye pollen, a rye allergy is mainly noticeable through hay fever symptoms. Rye products can also cause immune reactions. We explain how to recognize an allergy and how to proceed.

A rye allergy is widespread and one of the most common causes of hay fever (pollen allergy). Rye is a sweet grass. The grain blooms from April to September, with pollen peaking in May and June.

During this time, those affected suffer from hay fever and other allergic reactions, which can primarily affect nasal breathing. The grass allergens in rye pollen can also lead to cross allergies with other foods.

Rye allergy, intolerance and cross-allergy

Rye allergy and rye intolerance differ in the mechanism that triggers the reaction:

• A rye allergy is caused by grain pollen. The immune system reacts to the grass allergens in rye. This immune response is triggered by the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE).
• Rye intolerance can have various causes. The triggering mechanism is, for example, the lack of certain enzymes, a malfunction in the metabolic process or an autoimmune reaction.

An example of an autoimmune reaction is gluten intolerance. Gluten is also found in rye. People with gluten intolerance will therefore also experience rye intolerance.

When a person suffers from both a pollen allergy and a food allergy, it is called a cross allergy. For example, a rye allergy is often accompanied by a tomato or kiwi allergy.

Rye allergy: These are the symptoms

A rye allergy manifests itself through various symptoms. Most often these are reactions in the form of hay fever and related phenomena.

The most important characteristic is the time when the symptoms appear. The temporal association with the pollen flight from April to September with a peak from May to June is decisive.

These are classic symptoms of a rye pollen allergy:

• Itching and burning in eyes and nose

• teary eyes
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneeze
• Itching in the throat and mouth
• Difficulty breathing and chest tightness

However, the symptoms can also be non-specific. Examples include ear infections, fatigue, insomnia, and respiratory infections. In general, an affected person feels weak, exhausted and less productive during the reaction time.

By the way: The allergic reaction to rye is triggered by the pollen of the grass. Baked rye products are therefore usually tolerable for allergy sufferers. In individual cases or in the case of a cross-allergy, however, irritation of the mouth and respiratory tract can occur.

Identifying a rye allergy: you can do that

If you suspect you may have a rye allergy, there are some further steps you can take.

Before seeking medical advice, you can match the flowering time of rye with the timing of your symptoms. If these do not match, then the probability of a rye allergy is rather low.

How to diagnose a rye allergy:

• Conduct an anamnesis interview with your family doctor. The symptoms are recorded and the probability of an allergy is checked.
• Order a skin prick test. With this test form, the skin is tested for immediate allergic reactions.
• Order a blood test. This makes it possible to determine the allergy-specific molecular components in the blood.

If you have a rye allergy with hay fever symptoms, then you should avoid things that make an allergy worse. There are also effective home remedies for hay fever that you can use to relieve symptoms.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Nut Allergy: Symptoms, Treatment, and Things to Know
• Pet dander allergy: triggers, symptoms and what to do
• Gluten intolerance: symptoms of celiac disease