Did you Know: Allergies can come and go?

Did you Know: Allergies can come & go? With a few major exceptions to this rule (see below for more information).

Yesterday, I proved I love my son. How? By going to his doctor's appointment.

My son was referred to a specialist in Sarasota, Florida. He has a high level of allergies, and we were sent there to find out more. To be honest, I thought it was a waste of time, but - I love my son - and my relationship with my wife. So I went.

I spent $233 to find out basically - “nothing I already didn’t know”.
Though I admit I was hoping the test would say he was allergic to dogs, and it would solve the “Jasper” dog issue. [ I don’t hate the dog - just don’t want him. ]

The Doctor gave my son this costly test that caused him to cry and amounted to taking a large sheet with tiny needles that poke into his back to see how his skin reacts [ as proof of an allergic reaction ]. Well, after the crying and me trying to keep him from scratching the test area. We learned that he is allergic to just about everything (even grass and wood), the things we already knew about or suspected. Except for the cat - I didn’t know he was allergic to cats. [ Darn - wish it was the dog. ]

So, how do I know I love my son?

* I drove almost three hours to go and three hours to come home
* I spent way too much on a stupid test that had false positives [ he eats peanuts ]
* I spent $40 on gas and $60 on dinner [ went to Perkins - nice, but the food's too greasy ]
* And, what did I learn? How did it help my son? Learned nothing and did nothing to help.
* Oh, did I mention the torrential rain storm I drove through - that was fun!

I did learn that some Allergies can come and go at a whim. I’m allergic to lobster and shrimp [ and according to studies ] that allergic reaction could one day just disappear. The bad side to this equation is: you can eat something all your life and one day wake up to find you are now allergic to it - God, I hope I never get allergic to coffee… I would die without my three or four cups a day dose.

Here are some Facts and sources: On how this works...

1. Adult-Onset Allergies Are Real:

• You can develop new allergies at any age. It's not unusual for adults to suddenly become allergic to substances they previously tolerated, including food allergies like peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.
• The exact cause is often unknown. While the precise reasons for adult-onset allergies aren't always clear, they are believed to involve a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, as well as changes in the immune system.

2. Why Allergies Can Appear Suddenly:

• New or increased exposure: Moving to a new environment with different plants, adopting a new pet, or even changing your diet can expose you to new allergens, triggering a previously dormant allergic sensitivity.
• Immune system shifts: The immune system can change over time due to various factors like illness (including COVID-19 in some cases), hormonal fluctuations (e.g., pregnancy), or even stress. These shifts can lead to an overproduction of inflammatory mediators, making you more sensitive to allergens.
• "Lifetime load" theory: One theory suggests that over time, repeated exposure to various irritants and allergens can gradually break down the immune system's ability to resist them, leading to the development of new allergies.
• Genetic predisposition: If you have a family history of allergies, you're more likely to develop them, even if they manifest later in life.

3. Why Allergies Can Disappear or Lessen:

• Developing tolerance: For some allergies, particularly those that appear in childhood (like milk, egg, or wheat allergies), individuals can "outgrow" them. This is thought to occur as the immune system develops a tolerance to the allergen, producing fewer IgE antibodies (the antibodies responsible for allergic reactions) or developing other antibodies (like IgG4) that can counteract IgE.
• Reduced exposure: If exposure to an allergen is significantly reduced or eliminated over time, the immune system may become less reactive to it.
• Immune system changes: Just as immune system changes can trigger new allergies, they can also lead to the resolution or lessening of existing ones.

4. The Role of the Immune System:

• Allergies are an immune system "mistake." When you're allergic to something, your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like shellfish protein) as a threat. It then produces specific antibodies, primarily IgE, which in turn trigger other immune cells to release chemicals like histamine, leading to allergic symptoms (e.g., hives, swelling, difficulty breathing).
• Sensitization: Often, the first exposure to an allergen doesn't cause a reaction. Instead, it "sensitizes" the immune system by creating antibodies to that substance. Subsequent exposures then activate these antibodies, leading to an allergic reaction.

5. Shellfish Allergies Specifically:

• Shellfish allergies, like peanut and tree nut allergies, are generally considered to be lifelong once they develop, meaning it's less common to outgrow them compared to childhood allergies like milk or egg. However, like other allergies, they can still appear for the first time in adulthood.

Important Considerations:

• Severity can vary: A mild reaction in the past can become more severe with subsequent exposures.
• Never self-diagnose or self-treat: If you suspect you've developed a new allergy, especially to a food like shellfish, it's crucial to consult a doctor or allergist. They can perform tests (blood or skin tests) to diagnose or rule out allergies and help differentiate between an allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance. They can also advise on management and emergency plans.

Sources:

• Henry Ford Health: "Suddenly Have Allergies As An Adult? Here's What You Need To Know" (March 7, 2022)
• Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center: "What Causes a Person to Develop Allergies?" (April 15, 2021)
• Medical News Today: "Adult-onset allergies: Symptoms, treatment, and other causes" (November 8, 2024)
• Jax Allergy: "Understanding Adult-Onset Allergies: Managing New Allergies"
• Advisory Board: "Can your allergies just … disappear?" (October 10, 2022)
• American Family Care: "Why Do Allergies Come and Go?"
• Cleveland Clinic: "Allergies: Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Management"
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Allergies and the Immune System"
• Penn Medicine: "Food allergy"
• PubMed Central: "New Perspectives in Food Allergy" (March 2020)
• ACAAI Public Website: "Food Allergies | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment"