If you’re one of the many Atlanta residents who’ve dealt with allergies for years, you might assume that you know exactly what to expect. However, both adult and pediatric allergies can both change over time in unpredictable ways. Symptoms can become milder, grow more severe, or even appear for the first time during a person’s adulthood. And this unpredictability can make it harder to see exactly what’s triggering your reactions.
What Are the Reasons Allergy Symptoms Evolve With Age?
Various factors can influence how your immune system reacts to allergens as you get older. Here are the key reasons why these changes happen, and when you should talk to an allergist.
Your Immune System Can Change With Age
Essentially, a person’s immune system will often change with age. Adults can experience a difference in how their body reacts to allergens over time, and some people who first experienced allergy symptoms as infants will find that they have actually outgrown the allergy. Because a change in symptoms may be subtle or quite noticeable, it’s important to be aware of your response to allergens as years pass.
Hormones May Affect Allergy Symptoms
Hormonal changes happen at several life stages, including puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Hormones help regulate immune activity, so changes in their levels can affect how the body responds to allergens. While hormonal fluctuations do not cause allergies, they can influence how symptoms are experienced.
New Environments Can Trigger New Reactions
Moving to a new location can expose you to different allergens, including Atlanta-area pollen, mold, and indoor dust mite triggers. Whether it’s a different type of pollen or a higher level of dust mites, the new environment could indeed be responsible for changes in allergy symptoms. One of the benefits of allergy testing is the ability to monitor how your immune system responds to many types of allergens.
Repeated Allergen Exposure Could Change Your Sensitivity
Repeated exposure to an allergen can change how your body reacts. For some people it may lead to increased sensitivity, while others may become less reactive over time. Every “schedule” is different, and how symptoms change is based on factors such as the allergen involved and how the individual’s immune system responds.
Other Health Conditions Affect Allergy Symptoms
How your symptoms feel can be affected by infections and chronic health conditions. For example, sinusitis often results in increased congestion and more facial pressure. Asthma can also make allergy symptoms feel worse, as pollen and other allergens can trigger breathing difficulties.
When to See a Specialist About Changing Allergy Symptoms
Noticing changes to allergy symptoms as you get older can be concerning. To understand what might be causing these changes and to assess your allergy treatment options, you can visit an allergist. This is most important when symptoms have become more frequent or more severe, particularly when over-the-counter medication isn’t helping. Your allergist may need to perform additional testing to ensure the condition is being managed correctly.
Atlanta Allergy Treatment Centers for Symptom Relief
If your allergy symptoms have changed or you’re experiencing reactions for the first time, visit Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center. We provide allergy testing and treatment at centers across the Atlanta area. Call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment.
