Are your allergies getting worse?
May 26, 2025—If you have an allergy—whether it's to pollen, food, medication or something else—you know how it can derail your day. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe or even life-threatening. And if it feels like your symptoms are getting worse as you get older, you might be right.
Why allergies can change over time
It's not all bad news. Some allergies can improve or even disappear as you age. Allergic reactions to food are unpredictable, says Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), and children may outgrow their allergies to dairy, eggs, wheat and soy. And of the estimated 10% of adults with a penicillin allergy, most will lose the allergy over time—even if they used to have severe reactions to the drug.
However, you can develop an allergy at any point during your life. In fact, up to 15% of people with food allergies are first diagnosed as adults, says FARE. This might be due to trying new foods during adulthood.
You may develop new allergies when you move to a new location too. Different types of plants and pollens can trigger allergic reactions, even if you haven't reacted to them before.
Allergic reactions to certain types of things may also become more common with age:
Medications. Older people often take more medications than younger people, which increases the odds of developing a drug allergy.
Skin. Your skin becomes drier and thinner with age. This makes it more susceptible to an allergic reaction. Common triggers include plants, such as poison ivy; metals, like nickel; and lotion and other skin products.
Insects. Developing an allergy to an insect bite or a sting isn't common, but it is possible. Ants, bees, wasps, hornets and yellow jackets are the most frequent culprits.
Pollen and mold. Research shows that climate change is making allergy season longer and more severe. That means these allergy triggers are more likely to be around for longer periods of time.
For example, as the planet warms, the spring thaw happens earlier. Trees and other plants bloom and release pollen earlier and for a longer time. In addition, climate change contributes to more severe weather events, like hurricanes and floods, which promote mold-spore growth.
Learn how to manage airborne allergies and assess whether immunotherapy is right for you.
Sources
- AARP. "5 Types of Allergies that Can Become More Common With Age." https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/allergies-as-you-age/.
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Penicillin Allergy FAQ." https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/penicillin-allergy-faq.
- American Lung Association. "An Expert Explains: Why Are My Allergies Getting Worse?" https://www.lung.org/blog/allergies-climate-change.
- Food Allergy Research & Education. "Facts and Statistics." https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/facts-and-statistics.
- Food Allergy Research & Education. "Food Allergy Myths and Facts." https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-myths-and-facts.