Allergies manifest as an immune system overreaction to substances that are typically harmless to most individuals. When the body encounters an allergen, it mistakenly identifies it as a threat, triggering a response to eliminate it. This can lead to various symptoms, ranging from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening reactions.
Allergies Can Appear Later in Life
Allergies can develop at any point in life, even if one has never experienced them before. This phenomenon, often termed adult-onset allergies, means the immune system’s response can change over time, leading to new sensitivities. These allergies can present with symptoms varying from mild to severe, affecting individuals who previously tolerated these substances.
Common allergens include:
Certain foods like shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, and finned fish.
Environmental triggers such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores.
Medications, particularly antibiotics like penicillin.
Insect venoms.
Factors Contributing to New Allergies
New allergies in adulthood are influenced by various factors. Genetic predisposition plays a role, as individuals with a family history of allergies may have an increased susceptibility to developing them at any age. Environmental changes can also trigger new sensitivities; moving to a different region with new flora, acquiring a new pet, or even changes in workplace exposures can introduce novel allergens to the immune system. Repeated or intense exposure to a substance can sometimes lead to the development of a new allergy.
Changes within the immune system itself contribute to this phenomenon. Hormonal shifts, such as those occurring during pregnancy or menopause, can alter immune responses, potentially leading to new allergies. Illnesses, including viral infections or autoimmune conditions, can also impact the immune system’s reactivity. The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests that reduced exposure to microbes in early life, due to increasingly sanitary environments, might lead to an immune system that is less “trained” and more prone to misidentifying harmless substances as threats.
Lifestyle factors, such as dietary changes or increased stress, may also influence the immune system’s susceptibility to new allergies. Shifts in the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, can impact immune responses and potentially lead to food allergies. Furthermore, existing allergies can sometimes lead to new ones through cross-reactivity, where the immune system recognizes similar proteins in different substances; for example, people with pollen allergies might develop new sensitivities to certain raw fruits or vegetables, a condition known as oral allergy syndrome.
Identifying and Managing New Allergies
Recognizing the symptoms of a new allergy is the first step toward management. Common allergic reactions can manifest as skin rashes or hives, itching, and swelling. Respiratory symptoms may include sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Digestive issues like stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea can also occur, particularly with food allergies. In severe cases, an allergic reaction can escalate to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition characterized by difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and widespread hives.
If new allergy symptoms are suspected, especially if they are persistent, interfere with daily life, or worsen despite over-the-counter remedies, seeking medical attention from a doctor or allergist is advisable. Self-diagnosis can be unreliable and potentially dangerous. Healthcare providers can employ various diagnostic methods to identify specific allergens. These typically include skin prick tests, where small amounts of allergen extracts are pricked into the skin to observe a reaction, or blood tests, which measure allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood.
Once an allergy is identified, the primary management strategy involves avoiding the identified allergen whenever possible. For mild symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines can help block histamine, the chemical responsible for many allergy symptoms. Nasal sprays and eye drops can also provide relief for localized symptoms. For individuals at risk of severe reactions, medical professionals will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an EpiPen, to be used at the first signs of anaphylaxis. A tailored management plan developed with a healthcare professional is important for effectively addressing new allergies.