Many people think of allergies as a childhood problem, something you either have early on or never develop at all. The truth is that allergies can develop during your adult years, too, even if you’ve never had any symptoms as a child or teen.
Adult-onset allergies can be confusing and frustrating, especially when symptoms seem to come out of nowhere. In this month’s article, our team at Feminine Urgicare discusses some of the more common adult-onset allergies so you can decide if it’s time to consider allergy testing.
Seasonal allergies are usually associated with an uptick in pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds that usually occurs in the spring, summer, or fall. And like the other allergies on this list, seasonal allergies can develop at any age, even if your childhood was allergy-free.
Seasonal allergies cause symptoms like:
Differentiating seasonal allergies from a common cold isn’t always easy, but paying attention to when your symptoms occur can help. Unlike many colds, allergies also typically don’t cause a fever.
Pet allergies are another common allergy that often begins in adulthood. In fact, it’s common to develop pet allergies even after spending your entire childhood surrounded by pets.
Most pet allergy symptoms are triggered by proteins found in pet dander or saliva (not the fur). Changes in your immune system can make you sensitive to these proteins, even if they never bothered you before.
Fortunately, allergy treatments are available to help you manage your symptoms while still enjoying the company of your furry friends.
Many food allergies begin in childhood. But food allergies can begin during the adult years, too. In fact, about a quarter of adult food allergies happen in people who’ve never had a food allergy before.
Shellfish is the most common cause of adult-onset food allergies, but nuts, grains, and even fruits can trigger allergies in some people. These allergic reactions may occur suddenly, with symptoms ranging from mild itching to digestive issues to serious breathing problems.
Because food allergies can escalate quickly, if you have a new or unexplained reaction to a specific food, it’s essential to schedule allergy testing with our team as soon as possible.
Environmental allergies are typically triggered by airborne particles, like pollen or mold. But they can also be caused by other factors in your surroundings, like dust mites or cockroaches.
Symptoms tend to be worse indoors, and it’s not uncommon to experience symptoms all year round.
Laundering bedding on a regular basis, using air filters, and frequent vacuuming may help reduce some symptoms, but many people find they need medical therapy to improve their symptoms and restore their quality of life.
Many people assume that if they’ve never had a problem with a medication in the past, they won’t have an issue in the future. But medication allergies can appear during adulthood, even when you’ve taken the same medication safely in the past.
Symptoms may include:
Because medication allergies can be very serious, it’s important to report any new reactions to our team and avoid the medication until you’ve been tested and evaluated.
Skin allergies can also show up during your adult years, including allergies to substances that never caused a problem in the past.
Also referred to as contact dermatitis, these allergic reactions can be caused by many products and ingredients, including:
Symptoms typically include redness, itching, swelling, or blistering where your skin comes in direct contact with the trigger. Testing helps determine which products or substances are causing your reaction, so you can reduce your symptoms and avoid flare-ups in the future.
New allergy symptoms should never be ignored, especially if your symptoms make you uncomfortable or interfere with normal activities. Allergy testing is the first step toward finding a treatment that works.
To learn what’s causing your allergy symptoms and what we can do to help, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Feminine UrgiCare in Paramus and Clifton, New Jersey, today.