As a late-blooming spring creates a perfect storm of allergens in the United States, some Americans may be noticing late-blooming tendencies of their own. It's possible to suddenly display symptoms of seasonal allergies for the first time as an adult.
Sometimes allergies from childhood disappear during adolescence and early adulthood only to reappear later, years down the road. Dr. Richard Honsinger, clinical professor of medicine at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, tells Woman's Day magazine the majority of people develop allergies for the first time before they are 30 years old. However, he says some do experience their first symptoms well beyond that age.
If you were recently surprised to learn you have allergies, you are not alone. Experts say the number of adult-onset allergy cases is on the rise.
"Compared to 20 years ago, there's simply no doubt that we're seeing more adult patients seeking help for new allergies," Dr. Peter Socrates Creticos, medical director of Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, told Ladies Home Journal.
Signs that you may have adult-onset seasonal allergies:
– You don't have a fever.
– You have a "cold" that's lasted more than two weeks.
– You have itchiness and irritation in your nose, throat and eyes.
– Your nasal fluid is thin and clear.
If you are an allergy sufferer, you may opt to use over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines to manage your symptoms. If OTC medications are ineffective or cause adverse side effects like drowsiness, consider visiting an allergist for professional medical treatment. You should also invest in household allergy control products like an allergen air purifier and allergy bedding, which can dramatically improve your symptoms. Check out the Allergy Be Gone website today.
