Allergies Over Time: How to Recognize & Respond to Symptoms

Allergies aren't always present from birth, and they can change over time. You might suddenly react to pollen as an adult or notice unfamiliar symptoms from a food you've eaten for years.

Allergies can evolve in unexpected ways. Understanding how they progress can help you stay proactive about your health and be better prepared to respond to what your body may be signaling.

What is an allergy?

An allergy is defined as a defensive immune response to an otherwise-harmless substance. An allergic reaction can occur both internally and externally and present as various symptoms, from a rash, sneezing and swelling to difficulty breathing and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis and even death.

Everyday exposure, from the food you eat to the flowers you pass on the street, can provoke an allergic response. When the immune system reacts, it releases various chemicals to fight off what it perceives as harmful. One of the most common chemicals released by your immune system is histamine, which is why allergy medications are often called antihistamines. This process can set off a chain reaction of symptoms, signaling that you may be developing an allergy.

Signs of an Allergy

Allergies don't always appear right away. In many cases, they develop gradually, starting with mild symptoms that are easy to dismiss, such as headaches, sneezing, watery eyes or a sore throat, often associated with seasonal allergies.

However, some allergic reactions can escalate into serious, potentially life-threatening conditions like anaphylaxis. This severe response may cause swelling of the lips and tongue, blocked airways and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Anaphylaxis can occur within minutes or take several hours to develop after exposure to an allergen.

It is critical to seek medical care immediately for any allergic reaction that causes difficulty breathing or any symptoms of anaphylaxis.

Common Allergies

There are a wide range of allergies that can be developed over time including common ones such as:

• Certain foods like peanuts or seafood
• Some medicines
• Pollen
• Insect stings or bites
• Materials like latex or polyester

Can allergies show up or get worse over time?

Allergies can always change over the course of your lifetime. As we age, our immune systems can react more to external factors. They can increase and decrease by a change in your overall health, if you move to a different environment or due to aging.

Your immune system functions by developing antibodies to identify harmful pathogens and alert other components of your body's defenses. They keep you healthy, helping you fight off pathogens like the common cold and flu and are even used to boost the immune systems of individuals receiving chemotherapy and other immunosuppressed patients. All antibodies have a unique shape that fits onto a cell's antigen – an external protein or string of amino acids – and tells the antibody if the cell is part of the body and safe or foreign and potentially harmful.

Allergies develop when antibodies mistake non-hazardous substances like pollen and peanuts for harmful ones, triggering an immune response. These antibodies may remain dormant for years, only to develop an intolerance and trigger a response later in life. Allergies can develop at any stage of life and usually aren't known until your antibodies detect a harmful cell and mount your body's defenses. Once you know about an allergy, you might need medication to manage it, or dietary or lifestyle changes.

Managing Your Allergies

Many allergies can be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as Zyrtec, Claritin and Allegra, which can help mute and contain certain mild reactions.

If you are searching for a more natural remedy for minor allergies, try looking for vitamin D and C supplements to help with boosting your immune system.

If you have a known severe allergy, your doctor may prescribe an epinephrine shot (EpiPen) to always carry with you in case of a serious reaction. Epinephrine helps open airways, constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure, improving breathing back to normal within minutes.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, please call 911 immediately or visit one of our emergency rooms in Kirkland, Monroe or Redmond.