Can You Develop Food Allergies as an Adult?

One of the best parts of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood is knowing yourself better. You’re more familiar with your personal preferences, the demands of life, and your own body. At least, that’s the ideal scenario. But food allergies can throw you for a loop when they develop later in life. 

At Advanced Allergy & Asthma in Ogden, Utah, our dedicated team is here to help you get the allergy diagnosis and treatment you need to feel comfortable and safe in your body again. 

Understanding adult-onset food allergies

When you think of food allergies, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s visions of peanut butter and tree nut-free classrooms to protect young students with severe allergies. We don’t tend to think about food allergies in adults as frequently. In fact, many people think these allergies aren’t an issue later in life because many people grow out of their childhood allergies.

But in the same way you can grow out of the allergies you had as a kid, your allergies can also make their debut later in life. Adult-onset food allergies are more common than you might think, too. One study that looked at 40,000 subjects found that over 10% of them had a food allergy — and nearly half of that group had at least one adult-onset food allergy. 

The Mayo Clinic says the most common adult food allergies are:

• Shellfish
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts
• Fish

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology adds some other categories to watch out for, explaining that when combined with the foods listed above, these food groups account for around 90% of all food allergies:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Wheat (gluten)
• Soy

Clearly, a variety of foods can trigger the improper immune response in your body that creates allergy symptoms. 

Food allergy symptoms in adults

If you think you might be developing a food allergy, keep an eye out for the following after you eat:

• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Trouble swallowing
• Hives
• An itchy mouth or throat
• Shortness of breath

All of these symptoms could be a sign of a food allergy. 

While none of these symptoms are pleasant, they could be the least of your food allergy worries. If your allergy is severe, it can send you into anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. If you have serious trouble breathing and experience dizziness right after eating, don’t wait for an allergy diagnosis. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It could save your life. We can handle the exact diagnosis when you are out of danger.

Diagnosing and treating adult food allergies in 

If you notice unpleasant — but not life-threatening — sensations in your body after you eat, start paying attention to what triggers them. If you’re able to identify your food allergy on your own, you can steer clear of the food and help yourself find fast, effective relief.

But because most of us eat a varied diet, honing in on the food that’s causing your allergic reaction often isn’t easy. That’s why we offer food allergy testing at our office. With a scratch test or a blood test, we can accurately diagnose what’s causing the problem. 

Once you know what’s triggering your allergic reaction, avoidance is key. Our team at Advanced Allergy & Asthma is available to help you navigate adjusting your diet at home and ordering at restaurants to protect you against any symptoms.

Ready to figure out if you have a food allergy? Call us at 801-210-8491 or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment today.