Can Adults Still Develop Food Allergies? Here’s What the Expert Says

There's a misconception that if you don't have allergies as a kid, you're safe from them your whole life. An expert warned that adults can develop allergies, too.

Adults Can Still Develop Allergies

Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, said preschoolers are four times more likely to have food allergies than adults, and they are more likely to outgrow this as they age. However, those who didn't have food allergies when they were kids could still develop them as adults. Collins, however, noted that it was complicated to explain.

When your body perceives food as toxic, it releases an immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, which causes food allergies. Dr. Ashika Odhav, an allergist and immunologist with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, claims that if you were not exposed to common dietary allergens as a youngster, you may develop allergies as an adult.

Family history does not affect adult allergies. However, it may influence certain food sensitivities, such as celiac disease and lactose intolerance. Adults with allergies most frequently experience reactions to fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. As they age, they might also develop food intolerances.

According to Odhav, a food intolerance, like lactose intolerance, usually affects the gastrointestinal (GI) system and results in painful symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. It does not trigger an immunological response. To treat Onetain from certain foods, take supplements.

Collins to treat lactose intolerance warned that adult food allergies should be treated carefully. Individuals with severe symptoms should carry an adrenaline auto-injector pen and wear a medical information bracelet or chain. Surveys reveal that only over one-fourth of adult food allergy sufferers own an adrenaline pen, which is concerning.

Collins added that you should talk to your doctor about your management strategy if you have an IgE-mediated food allergy. Additional information is available at Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia.

Food Allergies That Can Occur in Adults

Collins shared four IgE-mediated food allergies that may affect adults -- single food allergies, tick-meat allergies, fruit-pollen allergies, and food-dependent, exercise-induced food allergies.

1. Single food allergies:

The most common IgE-mediated food allergies that affect adults based on a survey are the following:

shellfish (2.9%)
cow's milk (1.9%)
peanut (1.8%)
tree nuts (1.2%)
fin fish (0.9%) like barramundi, snapper, salmon, cod and perch.

Approximately 45% of these respondents said they had reacted to more than one dish in the survey. Overall, the prevalence of adult food allergies seems to be rising.

2. Tick-meat allergy

Tick-meat allergy, α-Gal syndrome, or mammalian meat allergy, is an allergic reaction to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, or simply α-Gal.

The allergy is, therefore, activated when you ingest foods that contain α-Gal.

These trigger foods include animal-origin gelatin added to gummy foods (jelly, lollies, marshmallows), dairy products (yogurt, cheese, ice cream, cream), prescription drugs, and over-the-counter supplements (some antibiotics, vitamins, and other supplements) that contain gelatin.

Since tick-meat allergy reactions are typically delayed, severe, and might include anaphylaxis, they can be challenging to diagnose. However, allergy organizations create management guidelines, so talk to your doctor about it whenever possible.

ALSO READ: Tick Bite Causes Carnivorous Man From New Jersey To Develop Incurable Meat Allergy

3. Fruit-pollen allergy

Fruit-pollen allergy, called pollen food allergy syndrome, is an allergic response mediated by IgE. Pollen in the air triggers the formation of IgE antibodies in susceptible adults against antigens in the pollen; nevertheless, these antigens are similar to those in certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The issue is that consuming certain plants can cause allergic reactions.

Birch, cypress, Japanese cedar, latex, grass, and ragweed are the most allergenic tree pollens. Fruits and vegetables such as kiwi, bananas, mangoes, avocados, grapes, celery, carrots, and potatoes, as well as some herbs like paprika, caraway, coriander, fennel, and pepper, can cross-react with their pollen.

4. Food-dependent, exercise-induced food allergy

Intense exercise causes the stomach to create less acid than usual and increases gut permeability, which increases the likelihood of small molecules in the gut leaking past the membrane and into the blood. Among them are food compounds that cause an IgE response.

If the individual already possesses IgE antibodies to the foods consumed before exercising, there is an enhanced chance of inciting food allergy reactions. Food-dependent exercise-induced allergy is the name given to this allergy, which can cause swelling, hives, breathing difficulties, and even anaphylaxis.

Wheat, seafood, pork, poultry, eggs, milk, almonds, grapes, celery, and other meals that may have been had several hours before exercise are common trigger foods.