“Do allergies change?”
I had an allergy to wheat as a child but I seem to be able to eat it now. Do allergies change as you get older? Can I develop new ones?
3 Answers
Dr. Evelyn Tolson
Allergist and Immunologist
Yes, patients can outgrow childhood food allergies. Yes, people may develop new allergies.
Hi,
Yes, allergies can change. There are certain food allergies, such as wheat, soybean, and egg, that 80% of patients outgrow by five years of age. Approximately 80% of patients outgrow milk allergy by 10 years of age. Unfortunately, most people do not outgrow certain allergies, such as peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish. One can also develop certain food allergies during adulthood. The research seems to be focused on desensitization options for the people that do not outgrow their allergies. Most of the work is currently being done with peanuts, but it should expand to other food allergens with time.
I hope this was helpful!
Duane W. Wong, M.D.
Yes, allergies can change. There are certain food allergies, such as wheat, soybean, and egg, that 80% of patients outgrow by five years of age. Approximately 80% of patients outgrow milk allergy by 10 years of age. Unfortunately, most people do not outgrow certain allergies, such as peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish. One can also develop certain food allergies during adulthood. The research seems to be focused on desensitization options for the people that do not outgrow their allergies. Most of the work is currently being done with peanuts, but it should expand to other food allergens with time.
I hope this was helpful!
Duane W. Wong, M.D.
Yes, they can change over time. And yes, you can develop new ones.
