What you need to know about adult onset allergies

Posted: 12th October 2022 | Posted by Costa

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.