Can Adults Suddenly Develop New Food Allergies?
A reader asks: Can adults suddenly develop a new food allergy?
Can adults suddenly develop new food allergies? Although rare, it is possible for adults to experience the onset of a food allergy later in life. According to a 2020 peer-reviewed study, about 7% of adults surveyed reported a medically diagnosed food allergy. While most childhood allergies are more common in boys, women are more likely to develop allergies in adulthood.
Some adults develop allergies due to factors such as exercise, alcohol consumption, viral infections, or certain medications. One emerging allergy among adults is alpha-gal syndrome, caused by a tick bite and associated with red-meat allergy. If you suspect a new food allergy, it is crucial to consult an allergist for confirmation through skin or blood tests and clinical history review.
While the risk of anaphylaxis is not high for most people, it is still essential to take allergies seriously and seek medical attention if a reaction occurs.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
