{"id":22334,"date":"2021-03-12T09:30:50","date_gmt":"2021-03-12T14:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=22334"},"modified":"2021-03-18T14:42:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T18:42:26","slug":"adult-onset-allergies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/adult-onset-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes, you can develop allergies as an adult"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe going for a walk in the park suddenly leaves you sniffling and sneezing. Or, a food you used to eat without any issues now makes you break out into hives. No, you aren\u2019t imagining it\u2014it\u2019s likely you\u2019re experiencing adult-onset allergies. Even if you didn\u2019t grow up with these sensitivities, they can spring up at any time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Allergies are \u201ca hypersensitivity to something in the environment that causes our immune system to overreact,\u201d says Carrie Lam, MD, medical director of the <\/span>Lam Clinic<\/span><\/a>. When you\u2019re<\/span> allergic to something<\/span><\/a>, it means your immune system classifies that substance as a threat and creates antibodies, which release histamines\u2014to counteract it. The histamines cause reactions like sneezing, itchy eyes, or inflamed skin. The most common type of allergy is <\/span>seasonal allergies<\/span><\/a>, also known as hay fever, and pollen is the main offender. Other common allergens include animal dander, dust, <\/span>mold<\/span><\/a>, and certain foods.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes adult-onset allergies?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scientists aren\u2019t quite sure what causes some people to develop allergies while others are fine, but genetics may play a role\u2014you\u2019re more likely to develop allergies if there\u2019s a family history. Allergies often manifest in children, but any allergy can develop later in life. It\u2019s not clear why you can tolerate certain allergens until a point, then develop a reaction in your 20s, 30s, 40s, or even later in life. Or, some people experience allergies as a child, experience remission in their 20s and 30s, then develop a reaction when they are older. The immune system, and how it reacts to certain substances, is constantly changing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Sometimes with environmental allergies, such as pollen or animal dander, it\u2019s not that you suddenly developed adult allergies. Rather, you may have been newly exposed to an allergen that you hadn\u2019t previously encountered, like if you\u2019ve moved to a new city or introduced a pet into your household. Stress can make your body release histamine, making an allergic reaction worse, but it doesn\u2019t cause allergies on its own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What are the best medications for allergies to pets?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Can you suddenly develop a food allergy?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nearly half of adults reporting food allergies developed them later in life, according to a <\/span>study<\/span><\/a> in <\/span>JAMA<\/span><\/i>. Because our immune systems typically become more tolerant as we age, in the case of adult food allergies, \u201cwe don\u2019t think people are developing an allergy as much as they are losing their tolerance of something,\u201d says Alice E.W. Hoyt, MD, host of the<\/span> Food Allergy and Your Kiddo podcast<\/span><\/a>. You might see this when someone who used to be able to eat peanuts now has an immune response because they\u2019ve lost their peanut tolerance. Or, it could be a cross-reaction to another allergen in food, such as pollen.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of adult-onset allergies?<\/span><\/h2>\n

How do you know if you\u2019re suffering from adult-onset allergies and not something else? There are three key symptoms to keep in mind for environmental allergies, according to Dr. Hoyt:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Itching in your eyes, throat, or skin<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Running nose, watery eyes, or nasal congestion<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Sneezing excessively<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Itchiness is an important component because the chemical involved in an allergy reaction is histamine, which produces an itchy feeling. Itching is a tell-tale sign that it\u2019s an allergy as opposed to just a runny nose or excessive sneezing, which could be a result of the common cold or irritating particles, like when you walk into a dusty room. In more severe allergy reactions, you may develop facial swelling, hives, diarrhea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing. If those symptoms develop, seek emergency medical help immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cFever is not a symptom or sign of an allergy reaction,\u201d Dr. Hoyt explains. \u201cThat\u2019s definitely a time when you want to talk to your doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

    With adult food allergies, while symptoms may vary among people, \u201creactions happen quickly,\u201d Dr. Hoyt says. \u201cWe\u2019re talking a matter of minutes in most people.\u201d That means if you had shrimp for dinner and several nights later developed a rash, it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019re suffering from a food allergy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How to treat adult-onset allergies<\/span><\/h2>\n

    When should you seek professional help for adult allergies? It\u2019s a good idea to see an allergist if you think you have an allergy. \u201cYou want to know what you\u2019re allergic to so you can implement some avoidance strategies,\u201d Dr. Hoyt says. You may have an<\/span> allergy skin test<\/span><\/a> or blood tests done to help diagnose allergies or to get <\/span>prescription treatment<\/span><\/a> for severe allergies.<\/span>
    \nThe strategies available for treating adult-onset allergies are the same as treating allergies in kids:<\/span><\/p>\n