Food Allergy Symptoms Appear

Food Allergy Symptoms Appear

In a recent interview with gorsite.ru, Dar'ia Demina, an expert in allergies and immunology, shed light on the rising trend of allergies in adulthood. Contrary to the long-held belief, allergies are no longer confined to childhood, and several factors contribute to this shift.

Environmental factors and pollution play a significant role. Rising levels of air pollution, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀), are associated with increased prevalence of allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. While the impact can be greater in younger populations, adults are not spared. Workplace exposures and broader environmental changes can trigger new-onset allergies. Climate change exacerbates environmental stressors, increasing the frequency of allergens such as pollen and mold, while also promoting the release of persistent pollutants, which may sensitize or aggravate the immune system.

Occupational exposures to chemical irritants and sensitizers are a significant risk factor for adult-onset asthma and other allergic conditions. Long-term exposure can lead to the development of allergies in adulthood.

Changes in diet and reduced exposure to certain microbes may shift immune responses toward allergic sensitization, though this is more commonly discussed in the context of childhood allergies. Cross-reactive allergies occur when the immune system recognizes similar protein structures in different allergens, leading to the development of new food allergies in adulthood.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) offers promising avenues for management, especially for cross-reactive food allergies. IT involves repeated exposure to small, controlled doses of allergen, aiming to desensitize the immune system and reduce the severity of allergic reactions. It is well-established for respiratory allergies, but for cross-reactive food allergies, especially those triggered by pollen-food syndrome, IT targeting the primary pollen allergen can sometimes reduce symptoms to the cross-reactive food.

Avoidance and symptom management remain crucial where immunotherapy is not available or effective. For cross-reactive food allergies, avoiding the trigger foods and cooking or peeling certain foods may help reduce symptoms. Antihistamines, epinephrine auto-injectors, and inhaled corticosteroids are mainstays of treatment for associated asthma.

Research is ongoing for oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy specific to food allergens, but these are not widely available outside clinical trials for most adults. Stress management techniques may also help improve outcomes for susceptible individuals, as chronic stress can worsen allergic symptoms.

Dar'ia Demina, the chief out-of-staff allergist-immunologist of the Ministry of Health of the Novosibirsk region, emphasized the possibility of changing the structure of allergens through allergen-specific immunotherapy. She also highlighted that allergies can manifest at any age and that people with pollen allergies often also suffer from allergies to medicinal herbs or stone fruits.

In conclusion, adult-onset allergies are rising due to environmental pollution, occupational exposures, and changing immune environments. Cross-reactive food allergies are an important subset, often linked to primary pollen sensitization. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is effective for many respiratory allergies and may help with some cross-reactive food allergies, while avoidance and symptom management remain crucial where immunotherapy is not available or effective.

1. Science has revealed that environmental factors and pollution play a significant role in the rising trend of adult-onset allergies, with rising levels of air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀) contributing to an increase in allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
2. In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, occupational exposures to chemical irritants and sensitizers pose a significant risk for adult-onset asthma and other allergic conditions, and long-term exposure can lead to the development of allergies in adulthood.
3. Nutrition and lifestyle factors have been found to be relevant to an individual's susceptibility to allergies. Changes in diet and reduced exposure to certain microbes may shift immune responses towards allergic sensitization, though this is more commonly discussed in the context of childhood allergies.
4. In the domain of education-and-self-development, allergen-specific immunotherapy (IT) offers promising avenues for managing cross-reactive food allergies, with potential for reducing the severity of allergic reactions to certain foods, as seen in pollen-food syndrome. However, research for oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy specific to food allergens is ongoing, and these are not widely available outside clinical trials for most adults.

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