Like the body, the immune system changes as you age, and allergies can develop at any time. And with these changes, sometimes what once only caused a slight reaction now results in symptoms severe enough that they impact how you function.
Other times, things you could tolerate begin to cause an allergic reaction. Some of the most common allergies patients develop as they age include cat, dog, and ragweed allergies. Climate change can also worsen your allergies because it can lengthen pollen seasons.
What Causes Allergies
Allergies develop when your immune system overreacts to allergens like pollen or cat dander. Although these allergens are technically harmless, your body sees them as a threat and forms antibodies to destroy them.
Next time you come in contact with that allergen, the antibodies start an immune response to remove the allergen that results in allergy symptoms.
How to Know if You Have Allergies
If you react to something that didn't bother you before, you may wonder if it’s allergies causing your symptoms. Those who’ve never suffered from allergies may not recognize their watery eyes and runny nose as something caused by spring pollen. Instead, they think they have a seasonal cold.
Look for some of the most common seasonal and environmental allergy symptoms, like:
- Red, itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Hives
- Skin rashes or redness
To know for sure that you’re experiencing new allergies and what, exactly, is causing them, you need an allergy test. Wyndly’s at-home allergy test kit provides everything you need to administer a test from home and return it to us. Once we get your results, one of our allergy doctors will meet with you to go over your test results and your personalized treatment plan designed to bring you life-long relief.
How to Treat New Allergy Symptoms
As new allergies develop, you can try to treat your symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines. While they can reduce symptoms and make you more comfortable, these medications only provide temporary relief.
Also, learn to avoid exposure to the allergens that cause your symptoms. For instance, if you suffer from ragweed allergies, avoid outdoor fall activities during midday when pollen counts are at their highest. If you’re visiting a friend with a dog, take an antihistamine before arriving or, better yet, visit outside or at a local coffee shop.
If your allergies don’t respond to antihistamines and impact your day-to-day functioning, consider sublingual immunotherapy.
Get Lifelong Allergy Relief
Sublingual immunotherapy is the best way to get lifelong relief from your allergy symptoms. Immunotherapy retrains your immune system to stop reacting to allergens, increasing its tolerance and desensitizing it toward specific allergens.
Sublingual immunotherapy is available in allergy drops and allergy tablets and is just as effective as allergy shots. Sublingual immunotherapy can also be taken from the comfort of home, making it a more convenient option.
Take Our Allergy Assessment
If you have allergies and want them to get better, sublingual immunotherapy might be the best solution for you. By training your system to stop reacting to what you’re allergic to, you can experience long-term allergy relief!
Get started today by taking our 2-minute online assessment and start your journey to a life free from allergy symptoms!
FAQs
Older adults tend to have more chronic conditions and experience a decline in the functioning of several organs, both of which can heighten an allergic response. Aging can potentially worsen any allergy, including hypersensitivities to food, medications, insect bites, and pollen.
Why are allergies so bad right now in 2024? ›
That's because as the climate has warmed, there are fewer days with hard freezes. That gives pollen producers, grasses and weeds a longer period of time to thrive (and make your eyes water). The 2024 season has kicked off especially early, experts say.
Why are my allergies getting worse as I get older? ›
Allergies can worsen over time because, as you age, your immune system changes. Sometimes it can become intolerant to allergens it used to tolerate. Seasonal allergies can also be worse due to climate change. Climate change has lengthened pollen season, making seasonal allergies last longer.
Why are allergies so bad this year? ›
And the cause of this longer, more intense allergy season? Climate change. “There's higher amounts of pollen due to rising greenhouse gasses and more CO2 in the air, which plants thrive off of,” Parikh tells CNBC Make It.
Why are my allergies suddenly so bad? ›
For example, you may have moved to a new area where you're now exposed to plants and trees you haven't encountered before. If you're spending more time working at home during the pandemic, you may have been exposed to dust mites. Maybe you added a furry friend to your family, and you're now surrounded by pet dander.
Why is my hayfever so bad in 2024? ›
It's officially summer! But as the weather is starting to feel warmer and flowers are in bloom, it also means that more pollen is in the air. And with pollen comes hay fever, which can mean a runny nose and itchy eyes for many people, especially if you're outside more often in the sunny weather.
What state has no allergies? ›
What are the Five Best States for Pollen Allergy Sufferers?
- Arizona.
- New Mexico.
- Nevada.
- Utah.
- California.
Keep indoor air clean
- Use air conditioning in your house and car.
- If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
- Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
- Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
There is currently no cure for allergies. However, there are OTC and prescription medications that may relieve symptoms. Avoiding allergy triggers or reducing contact with them can help prevent allergic reactions. Over time, immunotherapy may reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
Do air purifiers help with pollen allergies? ›
Some studies have shown that placing an air filter in your home can reduce indoor air pollution and provide some relief from allergy symptoms . However, the type of air purifier you use is important, as some air cleaners have been shown to exacerbate allergies instead of relieving them.
What month is worst for allergies? The worst month for allergies will vary based on where you live. Across the United States, May typically is the worst. In May, most of the country sees elevated pollen counts.
What is the best treatment for allergies? ›
Antihistamines and nasal steroids can be good options for preventing symptoms if taken daily before allergy season hits. Experts currently recommend intranasal steroids as the first-choice treatment for people with persistent symptoms.
Does taking antihistamines make allergies worse? ›
Taking antihistamines can be a great way to fight off an allergic attack. But new research suggests it also might also make the next attack come on stronger. Allergies are immune reactions to foreign substances that normally pose no threat to the body, from peanuts to pollen, that can set in after repeated exposure.
Are allergies worse this year, 2024? ›
The 2024 allergy season is expected to start earlier and potentially feel worse than other years; The New York Times reports, “Spring allergy seasons are beginning about 20 days earlier than they had, according to an analysis of pollen count data from 60 stations across North America from 1990 to 2018.” But why, and ...
What can severe allergies turn into? ›
Complications
- Anaphylaxis. If you have severe allergies, that raises your risk of this serious allergic reaction. ...
- Asthma. If you have an allergy, you're more likely to have asthma. ...
- Infections of the sinuses, ears or lungs. Your risk of getting these conditions is higher if you have hay fever or asthma.
As we grow older, our body changes and so does our immune system. Just as we no longer run as fast as we once did, we may lose our tolerance to potential allergens, from pollen to dog hair. And, on the flip side, we may build immunities to the things that once bothered us, research shows.
Why are allergies so much more common now? ›
One theory about the rise of allergies is that over the last 200 years, our diets have gotten dramatically different in terms of what we eat, the types of food we eat, so more processed foods, less fresh fruit and vegetables, different foods. ...
When is pollen season over in Massachusetts? ›
Allergy season in Massachusetts can last for several months. Tree pollen season typically lasts from late March to early June, grass pollen season from late May to early July, and weed pollen season from late August to early October.
When will pollen season end in 2024 in Virginia? ›
When Does Allergy Season End? Seasonal allergies end in November in Virginia because winters get fairly cold. Even though Virginia might not have as many outdoor allergens to worry about during the winter, indoor allergens can still cause issues for many allergy sufferers.
When does allergy season start in 2024 in NYC? ›
New York allergy season will typically start sometime in late February/early March and end in late October. The cold winters provide a welcome relief from pollen allergies, but indoor allergies should still be considered.
