Can you develop new allergies as an adult?

Just because you have reached adulthood doesn’t mean you will no longer develop allergies.

“While most allergies develop in childhood, adults are not in the clear,” explains Dr. Maaria Syed, an allergist and immunologist with Advocate Health Care who cares for pediatric and adult patients.

Adults are susceptible to developing environmental allergies and even food allergies. These can develop for a number of reasons, including changes in an individual’s environment, new medications, family history and/or pregnancy. For women, pregnancy is a common time in which environmental allergies can worsen, arise out of seemingly nowhere or, for some lucky women, improve.

Food allergies can also start to develop in the third decade of life or later and are most often to fish and shellfish.

“Even if you’re pretty sure what caused your allergic reaction, it is useful to see an allergist/immunologist,” Dr. Syed advises. “You will get testing to confirm the allergy, learn which related foods you can or can’t eat, and get prescribed and taught when and how to use an epinephrine device.”

You can also test and manage environmental allergies with medications or allergy immunotherapy injections, or allergy shots. It’s important to note these injections are a cure versus a treatment. Many people who are allergic to their pets opt for allergy shots so they can eventually discontinue taking allergy medication.

“The good news is that some environmental allergies ‘vanish’ as you get older,” Dr. Syed says. “The bad news is that other conditions causing nasal drainage, congestion and/or sneezing can start with age, so it’s best to be tested by an allergist.”

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