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Rye pollen allergy

Rye is a cereal that belongs to the grass family. Rye pollen cross-reacts strongly with other grass pollen and can cause symptoms in people who live near fields or spend time there.

Allergen
Rye (pollen) Secale cereale
Allergen code
g12
Season
May–June
Included in
1 test
Contents
  1. What is rye pollen allergy?
  2. Symptoms
  3. When does rye flower?
  4. Cross-reactivity
  5. How to get tested
  6. Frequently asked questions

What is rye pollen allergy?

Rye is one of the few cereals that release a lot of pollen into the wind, which makes rye fields a clear source of pollen in late spring and early summer. The allergens in rye pollen resemble those in timothy grass and other grasses. That is why rye pollen allergy is usually part of a broader grass pollen allergy.

Symptoms

  • Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
  • Itchy and watery eyes
  • Coughing and asthma symptoms

Symptoms are most noticeable near fields while the rye is flowering.

When does rye flower?

Rye flowers in May and June, slightly earlier than most meadow grasses. The pollen can therefore cause symptoms before the grass pollen season has got going.

Cross-reactivity

Rye pollen cross-reacts with grass pollen such as timothy. Rye pollen allergy does not, however, mean that you react to rye bread – pollen and flour contain partly different proteins. That said, IgE to grass pollen can give positive results for cereals such as wheat.

How to get tested

Rye (allergen code g12) is included in our Rye and weed pollen allergy test, together with wall pellitory and ragweed. If you also want to test for grass, you can combine it with our Pollen allergy test, which measures timothy grass.

Frequently asked questions

Is the test for rye pollen a test for allergy to rye in food?

No. Allergen code g12 refers to pollen from rye. Allergy to rye flour in food is something else and is measured with a different allergen.

Do I need to test both timothy and rye?

Timothy is usually enough to show grass pollen allergy. Rye can be of interest if your symptoms are clearly linked to fields or start early in the grass pollen season.

Often cross-reacts with

This text is general information and does not replace an assessment by a healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 112. If you have questions about your health, contact your doctor.

Tests for rye pollen allergy

You take the sample yourself at home. The tests measure IgE antibodies in a capillary blood sample.

Grass pollen

In much of Europe, grasses flower from May to August, peaking in early summer; further south the season starts earlier. Most grasses cross-react with each other, so timothy grass is often enough to show grass pollen allergy.

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