Adult-onset allergies: what are they and where do they come from?

12th April 2023

Adult-onset allergies: what are they and where do they come from?

We’re sure many of you know what it’s like to get older. The years go by and your knees get a bit creakier, your back starts to hurt that little bit more, and you frequently forget where you put your keys. It’s part and parcel of ageing up. But amongst the health quirks that can pop up, one stands out as particularly strange.

Yes, you can develop allergies after years of never having a problem. Seemingly out of nowhere, you might suddenly become sensitive to shellfish or nuts. The same goes for intolerances, with some people developing lactose or gluten intolerances over time. But what do adult-onset allergies entail and where do they even come from?

What we mean by “adult-onset allergies”

Let’s start by defining what they actually are. Because there can be a couple of ways in which they present themselves. As we mentioned, they are allergies you develop later in life – by which we mean as an adult. So anything you get in your 20s and beyond. It’s not something that only happens over a certain age; we’re just referring to conditions not present when you were a child.

The most peculiar aspect of them is they can develop out of nowhere. While some might occur because it’s literally your first time coming into contact with the allergen in question, others can happen seemingly overnight. You might have interacted with it every day of your life and suddenly it causes a reaction in your one day.

But why does this happen?

Where adult-onset allergies come from

Sorry to disappoint, but there’s no one answer to that question. Much like allergies at large, we don’t fully have a grasp on why they appear in some people and not in others, and adult-onset ones are no different. Though there are some interesting theories.

One is what is called the “atopic march”. This describes an adult-onset allergy as something that develops over the course of someone’s life. It may start as a barely noticeable condition before evolving into a full-blown allergy. In this theory, it was a sensitivity you always had, but never bothered you before growing into a much bigger problem.

Then there’s the effects of the changing environment. Climate change has led to a shift in plant pollen, with it occurring earlier in the year and lasting longer. This increase in exposure could play its role, as could aspects such as air pollution. You also have changes in your lifestyle, such as moving to a new place or a greater amount of stress, which could contribute.

But, as noted, there is no one answer and, in the grand scheme of things, where it came from doesn’t really matter. What does is how you handle your adult-onset allergy.

Can you stop adult-onset allergies?

We don’t currently know how to prevent or cure allergies. Though we do have a better grasp on how to treat them. So if you find yourself reacting badly to something that you never noticed before, the first thing you should do is seek medical advice.

Book an appointment with your doctor – or, if you want to be more targeted, an allergy specialist – to talk through your reactions. This can put you on the path to a proper diagnosis, which will allow you to manage your new condition. You shouldn’t ignore it – this can go badly. There’s no knowing how severe your allergy could be, and a mild reaction today could be a fatal reaction tomorrow.

Arming yourself with more knowledge about your condition is the best way to fight it. There’s no reason your adult-onset allergy should reduce your quality of life. It just means being a bit more on the ball about it. So get yourself an appointment, schedule yourself for an allergy test, and start living your new, healthier life.

If you ever have an undiagnosed condition that you want to get to the bottom of, our team of allergists can help. We can test for a number of allergens and help you understand what you’re up against. Register as a new patient or simply give us a call on 02031 433 449 to find out more.

What you need to know about adult onset allergies

12th October 2022

What you need to know about adult onset allergies

Can you imagine waking up one morning and discovering you have an allergy you never had before? You went to sleep being a-okay with peanuts and the next day they set you off in a rash. It sounds bizarre, but it’s very real. Adult onset allergies can affect anyone at any time. According to some studies, 50% of people with food allergies developed them in adulthood.

And scientists aren’t exactly sure why it happens. It could be genetics, a lack of exposure, or simply that you had the allergy all along, but were never exposed to it. Whatever the reason, if you’ve found yourself suddenly dealing with a strange new allergy, here’s everything you need to know.

Symptoms of adult onset allergies

The symptoms of your new allergy won’t be anything special. And what symptoms you experience will depend on what is triggering you. This may help you narrow down the cause, if you aren’t sure what it is. Here are some likely ones you might have:

• Runny nose – this is likely an airborne allergen, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander.
• Itchy eyes – similar to the above, but it could also be something you put near your eyes, such as soap or a cream.
• Rash – this is from something making contact with your skin. Potential culprits include any soaps or shower gels, or something like your detergent.
• Tongue/lip swelling – this is likely something you’ve eaten, especially if combined with breathing difficulties. It could also be medicine or even an insect sting.

If you notice eating something now gives you an upset stomach, this probably isn’t an allergy, but an intolerance. You may find you develop lactose intolerance or something like a wheat intolerance as you get older. These responses will likely be digestive.

Learning to live with your new allergy

It might be a shock to the system and a massive inconvenience. But if you have a new allergy, you will have to change some aspects of your life. If a certain food is now affecting you negatively, stop eating it. Don’t make matters worse. Food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

If you notice a reaction start after moving to a new product – such as in the case of a soap or detergent – then stop using it for now. At least until you get to the bottom of it. If you think your allergies are coming from particles such as pollen or dust, you’re going to have to clean your home more. Any lingering particles will just aggravate your symptoms.

When to get help

The right time to get professional help is immediately. While some adult onset allergies will just be an inconvenience, some may be deadly. And even if they are just annoying, finding out exactly what’s bothering you is the first step to living a full and free life.

You might want to start with your GP. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction. Their recommendation – or that of any specialist you’re referred to – will probably be an allergy test. This will get to the bottom of what’s triggering you. Then they can give you advice to keep your allergies at bay.

Adult onset allergies are just a fact of life, like growing old. But they don’t need to be a death sentence. Get yourself checked out and make the changes right for you!

If you ever need any professional advice from an allergy specialist, you can call our team on 02031 433 449. And if you’re certain about what you want to do next, you can always register as a patient with us here. We’re always happy to help.