Like the body, the immune system changes as you age, and allergies can develop at any time. And with these changes, sometimes what once only caused a slight reaction now results in symptoms severe enough that they impact how you function.
Other times, things you could tolerate begin to cause an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergies patients develop as they age include cat, dog, and ragweed allergies. Climate change can also worsen your allergies because it can lengthen pollen seasons.
What Causes Allergies
Allergies develop when your immune system overreacts to allergens like pollen or cat dander. Although these allergens are technically harmless, your body sees them as a threat and forms antibodies to destroy them.
Next time you come in contact with that allergen, the antibodies start an immune response to remove the allergen that results in allergy symptoms.
How to Know if You Have Allergies
If you react to something that didn't bother you before, you may wonder if it’s allergies causing your symptoms. Those who’ve never suffered from allergies may not recognize their watery eyes and runny nose as something caused by spring pollen. Instead, they think they have a seasonal cold.
Look for some of the most common seasonal and environmental allergy symptoms, like:
- Red, itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Hives
- Skin rashes or redness
To know for sure that you’re experiencing new allergies and what, exactly, is causing them, you need an allergy test. Wyndly’s at-home allergy test kit provides everything you need to administer a test from home and return it to us. Once we get your results, one of our allergy doctors will meet with you to go over your test results and your personalized treatment plan designed to bring you life-long relief.
How to Treat New Allergy Symptoms
As new allergies develop, you can try to treat your symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines. While they can reduce symptoms and make you more comfortable, these medications only provide temporary relief.
Also, learn to avoid exposure to the allergens that cause your symptoms. For instance, if you suffer from ragweed allergies, avoid outdoor fall activities during midday when pollen counts are at their highest. If you’re visiting a friend with a dog, take an antihistamine before arriving or, better yet, visit outside or at a local coffee shop.
If your allergies don’t respond to antihistamines and impact your day-to-day functioning, consider sublingual immunotherapy.
Get Lifelong Allergy Relief
Sublingual immunotherapy is the best way to get lifelong relief from your allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy retrains your immune system to stop reacting to allergens, increasing its tolerance and desensitizing it toward specific allergens.
Sublingual immunotherapy is available in allergy drops and allergy tablets and is just as effective as allergy shots. Sublingual immunotherapy can also be taken from the comfort of home, making it a more convenient option.
Take Our Allergy Assessment
If you have allergies and want them to get better, sublingual immunotherapy might be the best solution for you. By training your system to stop reacting to what you’re allergic to, you can experience long-term allergy relief!
Get started today by taking our 2-minute online assessment and start your journey to a life free from allergy symptoms!
FAQs
Allergies can worsen over time because, as you age, your immune system changes. Sometimes it can become intolerant to allergens it used to tolerate. Seasonal allergies can also be worse due to climate change. Climate change has lengthened pollen season, making seasonal allergies last longer.
Why are my allergies so bad right now in 2024? ›
Researchers predict these aren't outlier years, pointing to climate change as responsible for worsening allergy season. This past winter was the warmest on record across the continental U.S. Fewer days below freezing meant plants were able to bloom earlier and longer.
Why are allergies worse as you get older? ›
As we grow older, our body changes and so does our immune system. Just as we no longer run as fast as we once did, we may lose our tolerance to potential allergens, from pollen to dog hair. And, on the flip side, we may build immunities to the things that once bothered us, research shows.
Why are our allergies getting worse? ›
Pollen is produced naturally as a means of reproduction for a variety of plants, but human activity — such as creating air pollution, using non-native and allergen-producing plants in landscaping, and the increasing temperatures caused by climate change — all contribute to the exacerbation of seasonal allergies.
Why are my allergies so bad all of the sudden? ›
For example, you may have moved to a new area where you're now exposed to plants and trees you haven't encountered before. If you're spending more time working at home during the pandemic, you may have been exposed to dust mites. Maybe you added a furry friend to your family, and you're now surrounded by pet dander.
What triggers allergies later in life? ›
Genetics may play a role, as might changes in adult immune systems. Adult-onset allergies occur most often for people in their 20s and 30s, though it's possible to develop allergies at any age. Moving to a new area is one common cause experts agree on.
What are the five worst states for allergies? ›
These U.S. cities are the worst for people with seasonal allergies
- Greenville, South Carolina.
- Dallas, Texas.
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Richmond, Virginia.
- Des Moines, Iowa.
- Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Absolutely. We think your allergy profile can change approximately every seven years. People develop new allergies that they didn't have as children, or sometimes a childhood allergy stops—“burns out” is a term I like to use—where you're not as reactive to something you were allergic to.
Do allergies get worse at night? ›
Many allergens are more prevalent at night. For example, dust mites and pet dander can accumulate in bedding and pillows, which can make symptoms worse when you lay down to sleep. Pollen levels tend to be higher in the morning, which means that your symptoms may peak later in the day or at night.
Why are allergies becoming more common? ›
One theory about the rise of allergies is that over the last 200 years, our diets have gotten dramatically different in terms of what we eat, the types of food we eat, so more processed foods, less fresh fruit and vegetables, different foods. ...
What You Need to Know. Allergies are the result of your immune system's response to a substance. Immune responses can be mild, from coughing and a runny nose, to a life-threatening reaction know as anaphylaxis. A person becomes allergic when their body develops antigens against a substance.
How do you stop allergies from getting worse? ›
Keep indoor air clean
- Use air conditioning in your house and car.
- If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
Many people develop new allergies over time or have worsening allergies because of environment changes, age, and stress. If you feel like your allergy medication isn't working, talk to your healthcare professional about new allergy testing. And use an allergy tracker to help avoid triggers.
Why are allergies so bad right now in 2024? ›
Blame climate change
Rising temperatures are also allowing plants to bloom earlier and longer, prolonging pollen seasons. Increased rainfall means plants release more pollen when they bloom, and higher numbers of thunderstorms cause pollen grains to burst, making them more irritating and worsening symptoms.
Why are my allergies getting worse as I get older? ›
Allergies can worsen over time because, as you age, your immune system changes. Sometimes it can become intolerant to allergens it used to tolerate. Seasonal allergies can also be worse due to climate change. Climate change has lengthened pollen season, making seasonal allergies last longer.
What is the best thing to take for allergies? ›
The bottom line
Antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine), can provide quick relief and can help prevent symptoms if taken every day. Nasal steroids, such as Flonase (fluticasone propionate), are generally the most effective allergy medicines but can take up to 2 weeks to fully work.
Why is this year so bad for allergies? ›
Blame climate change
Rising temperatures are also allowing plants to bloom earlier and longer, prolonging pollen seasons. Increased rainfall means plants release more pollen when they bloom, and higher numbers of thunderstorms cause pollen grains to burst, making them more irritating and worsening symptoms.
What months are affected by allergies the highest? ›
Expert Health Articles
- Spring: February - May. For spring allergy sufferers, the joys of warmer weather, birds chirping and flowers blooming come at a price. ...
- Summer: May - June. Late spring and early summer allergies mainly involve grass pollen. ...
- July Hiatus. ...
- Fall: August - November. ...
- Winter: December - January.
The main culprits triggering this misery are tree, grass and weed pollen. These yellowish powders fertilize plants and are spread by wind, insects and birds. A rainy spring can help plants - and mold - grow more quickly, causing allergy symptoms to linger for months.
Are allergies getting worse with climate change? ›
In a recent study of North American pollen seasons from 1990 to 2018, scientists found warming was a primary driver of this timespan lengthening, on average, by 20 days. According to the study, the concentration of pollen also went up by 21 percent.
