'Confusion in the immune system': How allergies can develop later in life

Key Points:

• Allergies can develop at any age due to various triggers, including viral infections like Covid-19, which has been linked to increased risks of allergic rhinitis and asthma, while vaccination appears to reduce this risk.
• Disruptions to the immune system, such as antibiotic use or hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, can lead to new allergies or worsen existing ones by causing immune confusion or inflammation.
• The lone star tick bite can trigger alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy caused by an immune reaction to a sugar molecule transmitted by the tick, with cases rising as the tick spreads geographically.
• While some allergy-like conditions, such as pregnancy rhinitis, are temporary, many new allergies can be permanent, and current treatments focus on managing symptoms and modulating immune responses, with promising research into vaccines and immune therapies underway.
• Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through probiotics and fermented foods may help prevent allergy development, especially following antibiotic use, and early intervention during viral infections could potentially reduce the risk of secondary allergic diseases.