Most adults just don’t expect to become allergic to a well-known food they’ve safely eaten for years. But unfortunately, some people find themselves caught off guard by new food-related reactions in their 30s, 40s or later. A change like this can cause a lot of confusion and worry, and it often sends people in search of a food allergy treatment for the first time in their lives. Let’s look at why food allergies develop in adulthood, and what Atlanta patients can do about it.
Can You Develop a Food Allergy as an Adult?
Food allergies can develop at any age, even if you have eaten the food before without a reaction, and adult-onset cases are more common than many people realize. One study published in the National Library of Medicine found that 48% of adults with a food allergy first developed it in adulthood. While some adults will be dealing with a new allergy, others will react more strongly to foods like shellfish, fish, peanuts and tree nuts that had previously triggered only mild symptoms.
What Causes Food Allergies to Develop in Adulthood?
A food allergy develops when the immune system identifies a normally safe food protein as a threat and then reacts to it. Why this happens can come down to different factors, and it’s not always possible to identify a single cause. Potential causes range from changes within the immune system to outside influences like environment and family history.
Changes in the Immune System
A person may not experience an allergic reaction the first time the immune system identifies a food protein as harmful. Initially, the immune system produces IgE antibodies against that protein without noticeable symptoms.
However, the next time that food is eaten, the body could release histamine and other substances that trigger symptoms like hives, swelling and trouble breathing. Immune system tolerance can also change with age, meaning that repeat food allergy testing may be necessary to update risk assessment.
Pollen and Food Cross-Reactions
Proteins in many raw fruits, vegetables and nuts resemble proteins found in pollen. This means that a person with an allergy to tree, grass or weed pollen could experience itching, tingling or swelling in the lips, mouth or throat after eating certain raw produce.
Proteins in birch pollen, for example, are similar to those in apples, cherries, peaches, carrots, almonds and hazelnuts. This is called oral allergy syndrome, and while symptoms are usually mild, they can happen unexpectedly in adulthood.
Changes in Health or Environmental Exposure
Researchers are still studying whether health or environmental changes can affect an adult’s food tolerance. Some causes being studied include infections, hormonal changes and new environmental exposures. Acid-reducing medications are also being examined, as stomach acid normally helps break down food proteins before they can trigger a reaction.
Personal and Family Allergy History
A family history of allergies can raise the risk of developing a food allergy, but it cannot predict which food will cause a reaction or when, including during adulthood. Some adults develop food allergies with no family history at all, yet inherited risk cannot point to a specific trigger, which is why food allergy testing is needed to confirm one.
Contact Us for Adult Food Allergy Treatments in the Atlanta Area
Whether you have experienced food allergy symptoms for the first time or need assistance with managing an ongoing issue, we’re here to help. Our allergy team provides expert food allergy testing and treatment at locations across the Atlanta area. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.
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