United States: Seasonal allergies may appear in people who had no allergies years ago since tens of millions of Americans experience these symptoms, warns healthcare professionals.
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Dr. Tolly Epstein, an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine who researches allergies and immunology, stated, “People tend to think of allergies as a childhood thing” and not something they can get later in life, the New York Times reported.
But, “it’s very common to develop new allergies,”, especially in one’s 20s, 30s, and 40s, she mentioned.
Also, the symptoms aren’t always obvious, she noted.
Most seasonal allergic individuals experience nasal congestion combined with sneezing and itchy eyes.
The allergy symptoms include fatigue together with headache and sinus pressure; thus, somebody new to allergens might think they have a cold, according to Dr. Epstein.
Dr. Andrew Rorie from the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center explains that new pollen allergy victims encounter specific mouth itching when eating raw plant food.
The proteins found in plants sometimes generate responses from the immune system that are similar to pollen reactions because they do not register as distinct from pollen proteins, per his analysis.
Seasonal allergies reasons
Skin allergies develop due to contact with environmental substances like pollen and mold spores that exist in air circulation during particular seasons, particularly during plant pollination periods, the New York Times reported.
The immune system identifies pollen as a dangerous substance when allergies trigger a reaction sequence at the site of exposure.
Nasal and lung antibodies activate chemicals such as histamine to produce sneezing along with a running nose or blocked airways.
Scientists have not found definitive reasons behind why allergies and symptoms appear anew without previous exposure to them, even though they have identified various possible explanations.
Climate change extends both the beginning and duration of allergy season, thus creating additional conditions for people to experience symptoms, according to expert analysis.
Dr. Alkis Togias declared that some infections (for example, colds) can affect protective mucous membranes, which leads to decreased immune system protection from allergic triggers.