Who gets allergies?
Although certain allergies may have a genetic tendency (atopy), exposure to environmental factors are also instrumental in the development of allergies. Generally, most people develop allergies during their childhood, however they can emerge in adulthood too. For example, seasonal allergies including hayfever may develop as you get older due to an increased exposure to environmental allergens such as pollen.
The severity of an allergic reaction varies significantly between people, with some people presenting with only mild symptoms whilst others quickly progress into anaphylaxis. Allergies can also change over time within the individual, differing in frequency and severity or even disappearing completely. For example, the severity of seasonal allergies can fluctuate season to season and pet allergies may affect you differently depending on the cat or dog you encounter. Some allergies can be outgrown, whereas others last a lifetime.
Why do some allergies last a lifetime?
Certain allergies are more likely to be lifelong, particularly food allergies which first develop in adulthood or certain types of food allergen which cause reactions from early childhood. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that long-lasting memory B cells are responsible for lifelong sensitivity to food allergens. When the immune system mistakes a food allergen as something harmful, it triggers the production of the IgE antibody in an attempt to neutralise the 'threat'. IgE levels are not sustained long term, however upon re-encountering a specific food allergen, memory B cells are activated and replenish the cells which produce IgE. In turn, IgE then signals the immune system to react, causing an allergic reaction.
Why do some people outgrow their allergies?
Not all allergies are lifelong, and in fact many children outgrow their allergies (particularly food allergies) as they get older. It isn't currently known exactly why some people outgrow their allergies. It may be that a tolerance to some allergens develop through repeated exposure to low levels of the allergen over time. This is the method used in allergy shots to decrease the person's allergic response to a particular allergen, but it can occur naturally too. In affect, this means the person's body may simply become accustomed to the allergen, thus reducing the level and sensitivity of the immune response.
Will my child outgrow their food allergy?
Food allergies are estimated to affect approximately 1 in 20 children (5%). However, approximately only 2 in 100 (2%) adults are affected, showing that some children will outgrow their food allergy as they get older.
It was previously believed that the majority of children may outgrow allergies to cow's milk, wheat, soy and eggs before the age of three. However, research from John Hopkins Medicine have showed that milk and egg allergies now often persist until adolescence. A study of approximately 1700 patients that had either a milk or egg allergy over a period of 13 years found that fewer children are outgrowing these allergies, and those that do are outgrowing them later than before.
On the other hand, allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are more likely to persist throughout life. It is thought that up to 20% of children with a peanut allergy will outgrow it as they get older, whereas only approximately 9% of children with tree nut allergies would be expected to outgrow them. However, if they have multiple food allergies the likelihood of them outgrowing their nut allergies are significantly reduced, and are far more likely to be lifelong.
Although it currently remains unknown why some people outgrow their allergies where others don't, doctors can perform allergy blood tests to determine IgE levels and predict a child's likelihood of outgrowing various food allergies.
Although certain allergies may have a genetic tendency (atopy), exposure to environmental factors are also instrumental in the development of allergies. Generally, most people develop allergies during their childhood, however they can emerge in adulthood too. For example, seasonal allergies including hayfever may develop as you get older due to an increased exposure to environmental allergens such as pollen.
The severity of an allergic reaction varies significantly between people, with some people presenting with only mild symptoms whilst others quickly progress into anaphylaxis. Allergies can also change over time within the individual, differing in frequency and severity or even disappearing completely. For example, the severity of seasonal allergies can fluctuate season to season and pet allergies may affect you differently depending on the cat or dog you encounter. Some allergies can be outgrown, whereas others last a lifetime.
Why do some allergies last a lifetime?
Certain allergies are more likely to be lifelong, particularly food allergies which first develop in adulthood or certain types of food allergen which cause reactions from early childhood. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that long-lasting memory B cells are responsible for lifelong sensitivity to food allergens. When the immune system mistakes a food allergen as something harmful, it triggers the production of the IgE antibody in an attempt to neutralise the 'threat'. IgE levels are not sustained long term, however upon re-encountering a specific food allergen, memory B cells are activated and replenish the cells which produce IgE. In turn, IgE then signals the immune system to react, causing an allergic reaction.
Why do some people outgrow their allergies?
Not all allergies are lifelong, and in fact many children outgrow their allergies (particularly food allergies) as they get older. It isn't currently known exactly why some people outgrow their allergies. It may be that a tolerance to some allergens develop through repeated exposure to low levels of the allergen over time. This is the method used in allergy shots to decrease the person's allergic response to a particular allergen, but it can occur naturally too. In affect, this means the person's body may simply become accustomed to the allergen, thus reducing the level and sensitivity of the immune response.
Will my child outgrow their food allergy?
Food allergies are estimated to affect approximately 1 in 20 children (5%). However, approximately only 2 in 100 (2%) adults are affected, showing that some children will outgrow their food allergy as they get older.
It was previously believed that the majority of children may outgrow allergies to cow's milk, wheat, soy and eggs before the age of three. However, research from John Hopkins Medicine have showed that milk and egg allergies now often persist until adolescence. A study of approximately 1700 patients that had either a milk or egg allergy over a period of 13 years found that fewer children are outgrowing these allergies, and those that do are outgrowing them later than before.
On the other hand, allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish are more likely to persist throughout life. It is thought that up to 20% of children with a peanut allergy will outgrow it as they get older, whereas only approximately 9% of children with tree nut allergies would be expected to outgrow them. However, if they have multiple food allergies the likelihood of them outgrowing their nut allergies are significantly reduced, and are far more likely to be lifelong.
Although it currently remains unknown why some people outgrow their allergies where others don't, doctors can perform allergy blood tests to determine IgE levels and predict a child's likelihood of outgrowing various food allergies.
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