If you’ve been noticing watery eyes, congestion or an itchy throat more frequently, it’s possible that these could be symptoms of allergies. Even if you never had allergies as a child, it’s possible to develop them as an adult.
Keep reading to learn about the most common types of adult-onset allergies, their symptoms, what can cause allergies to develop later in life and how you can get some relief through allergy treatments.
Types of allergies that can develop later in life
Food allergies
One study found that 10% of adults have food allergies, with half stating that at least one of the food allergies developed later in life. Shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts and finned fish are the most common food allergies in adults.
Symptoms of food allergies can include a tingling or itchy feeling in your mouth, difficulty breathing, or hives. But if you think a food is causing stomach cramps, nausea or other types of digestive issues alone it’s likely not an allergy, but rather a food intolerance. Lactose intolerance, for example, is more likely to develop in adulthood. See your primary care doctor to discuss food intolerances.
Environmental allergies
Environmental allergies are caused by substances in your surroundings that you inhale; they can occur indoors or outdoors.
Seasonal allergies refer to outdoor allergens that are present or at higher levels at certain times of the year. Common triggers for outdoor seasonal allergies include tree and grass pollen, ragweed pollen, and mold spores.
Year-round allergies can also develop in adulthood. These include allergies to dust mites, pets, and sometimes mold.
Allergies to medications
Any kind of drug can cause an allergic reaction, but the most common medication allergies are to antibiotics that include penicillin or sulfa medicines, and aspirin or related NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Allergic reactions may include hives or breathing problems. However, not all reactions to drugs indicate an allergy.
What causes allergies to develop later in life
Developing adult-onset allergies can feel like an interruption to your daily life. It can be frustrating to not be able to leave the house without a box of tissues or to suddenly have to avoid eating your favorite dish. So, why did you suddenly get a new allergy?
While it’s not completely known what causes allergies later in life, there are a few possible contributors.
Family history and genetics
You may have never had a reaction to a certain allergen, but it’s possible that you could be genetically predisposed to become allergic. It’s possible that the allergy took multiple exposures for the allergen to trigger a reaction.
Exposure to a new environment or allergen
In some cases, the environment where you’re exposed to an allergen can trigger a reaction, even if you never previously experienced a reaction.
Seasonal allergies
One possible cause of seasonal allergies is being exposed to the allergen for a number of years.
Pet dander
Your allergy symptoms to pet dander depend on your level of exposure. You may not have experienced any reactions to your childhood pet simply because you were constantly around them, which made your body tolerant.
Insect stings
Like the allergens above, some people may need more exposure to experience an allergic reaction. So, if you got stung by a bee or other insect once as a child without a reaction, it’s still possible that you could have a reaction if you get stung as an adult.
Related allergies
Some food allergies can be related to other allergies you may already know about.
For example, people with allergies to pollen can also find that they are allergic to some raw fruits, vegetables and some tree nuts. This is called Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS). PFAS occurs because the immune system recognizes the pollen and similar proteins in the food and will cause an allergic reaction.
This usually develops in older children, teens and young adults who have been eating the fruits, vegetables or tree nuts that they become allergic to without any reactions in prior years. When symptoms of PFAS appear, it usually involves an itchy mouth, scratchy throat or swelling of the lips, and doesn’t progress beyond the mouth. Rarely, it progresses to anaphylaxis.
Often, fruits and vegetables can be eaten when cooked or peeled. But in the case of tree nuts, it’s best to avoid that allergen. For some people with PFAS, it’s possible that these allergies may go away over time.
Treatment for adult-onset allergies
Treatments for allergies that develop later in life are the same as those for allergies in children and young adults.
- Treatments for seasonal allergies include over-the-counter medicines, such as antihistamines (Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra), nasal steroid sprays, decongestants and nasal sinus rinses.
- Treatments for food allergies include avoiding the food altogether. When there has been an anaphylactic reaction, Epinephrine injectors (EpiPen) are commonly prescribed, or used when needed.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) are also an option for adults for environmental allergies. These shots help reduce or eliminate your body’s reaction to allergens.
A skin prick test with an allergy doctor can help identify the sources of your allergy symptoms and help with the best treatment for you.
If you’ve never seen a doctor for your symptoms before, it’s often a great option to start by scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor. Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms, rule out other causes of your symptoms and refer you to an allergy specialist for more advanced care, if needed.