Even though most people develop allergies in childhood, there are many who develop new allergies well into adulthood.
How Allergies Work
Regardless of when you develop allergies, the mechanism is the same. Your body identifies a harmless substance (like pollen) as a threat and creates antibodies in response. The next time you come into contact with that substance, the allergen binds to the IgE antibodies and causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes and congestion.
What Causes Allergies in Adults?
Researchers are still unsure as to why some people develop new allergies as adult while most people to not. However, there are a few factors that may make it more likely, such as:
- Relocating to a new environment where you may be exposed to allergens you previously had not come in contact with
- Living with a pet for the first time
- Having little to no exposure to an allergen as a child
- Being exposed to an allergen when your immune system is weakened or compromised
However, adults can also become allergic to a certain food they’ve eaten without issue for years. Or become completely congested walking through a park in Lincolnton when they never used to before.
This makes adult-onset allergies especially frustrating and negatively impacts your quality of life.
Treatment Options for Adult Allergy Symptoms
The good news is that there are plenty of treatment options available if you develop a new allergy later in life.
Visiting an allergist can be especially helpful. They can perform allergy testing to help confirm your allergies and pinpoint your specific triggers. Once you know what you’re allergic to, treatment options become easier to select.
Depending on the type and severity of your allergies, your allergist may recommend:
- OTC antihistamines and/or decongestants.
- Prescription-strength allergy medications.
- Taking steps to avoid your triggers. This may mean not eating certain foods or staying indoors when pollen levels are especially high.
Immunotherapy. This is a method of treatment that helps your body build a tolerance to an allergen by introducing it in small doses over a period of several years.