Why Adults Suddenly Develop Food Allergies

People often associate food allergies with childhood. But they can develop in adulthood, too.  For years, you enjoy shrimp in all its forms, and then, one day, you munch on a shrimp cocktail and feel an uncomfortable feeling in your throat. 

Researchers still don’t fully understand why adults suddenly develop food allergies, but it’s more common than you might think. Research suggests a minimum of  12 million adults develop a food allergy later in life.   

Our team at Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina, Texas, evaluates your symptoms to determine whether you have a food allergy or not. Dr. Thomas Fowler conducts comprehensive testing, which may include a skin-prick test and a food elimination diet. Such testing gets at the source of your symptoms.

Before jumping into why these allergies can appear in adulthood, it helps to define food allergies. 

What are food allergies?

Food allergies occur when your body’s immune system responds strongly to a harmless substance. Certain foods can trigger these responses, such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame. These nine common food allergens can cause a range of symptoms such as nasal congestion, trouble breathing, nausea, and more.

In some cases, food allergies can cause a life-threatening response called anaphylaxis, which causes difficulty breathing. To treat it, you need to inject epinephrine into your thigh and receive medical treatment. 

Who’s at risk of developing adult food allergies? 

Your body’s immune system changes over the years. 

If you have existing allergies, you may be at greater risk of developing food allergies. Environmental and lifestyle factors can contribute, too.

For example, if you move across the country, you encounter different plants and foods. You may also start eating things you didn’t grow up eating and find you’re allergic to them. An example would be if you didn’t grow up eating shellfish and you move to Maryland and start eating crabs, then start to feel unwell.

Stress and even some antibiotic use can lead to adult food allergies, too. 

Food allergy vs. food intolerance 

People often mix these up, but there’s a big difference between having a possibly life-threatening allergy and a food intolerance. An intolerance usually affects digestion and can cause symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and gas. 

The treatment and risk levels differ from those for allergies. 

Food allergy treatments 

With proper diagnosis and management, you can reduce your risk. Dr. Fowler often uses skin tests, blood tests, and a medical history to confirm allergies. Treatments can include avoidance of the food, medication, or allergy shots. 

The team at Allergy and Asthma of Prosper and Celina can identify your possible food allergy symptoms and create a path forward. You can call us to make an appointment or schedule online.