Can You Develop Hay Fever Later in Life?
If you've never suffered from hay fever before, suddenly developing sneezing, itchy eyes or a runny nose during the pollen season can come as a surprise. However, hay fever isn't something that only begins during childhood, and it is possible to experience symptoms for the first time as an adult.
According to Patient.info, around 1 in 5 people with hay fever develop symptoms for the first time after the age of 20. So, if you've suddenly started experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms despite never having problems with pollen in the past, you're certainly not alone.
Why Can Hay Fever Suddenly Develop in Adults?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, and some people can be susceptible to allergies without experiencing noticeable symptoms for many years.
Exactly why an allergy becomes active later in life isn't fully understood. Patient.info explains that several possible triggers have been suggested, including significant infections, exposure to pollution and hormonal changes, although more research is needed to understand exactly why this happens.
It is therefore possible to go through childhood and your teenage years without hay fever, only to begin experiencing symptoms during adulthood.
What Are the Signs of Hay Fever?
Common hay fever symptoms can include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose and watery, irritated or itchy eyes. Symptoms are often seasonal and may become more noticeable when the pollen count is particularly high.
Different types of pollen are released at different times of the year, so when your symptoms appear can sometimes provide an indication of the type of pollen that may be affecting you.
If you're experiencing allergy-like symptoms for the first time, particularly if they are persistent or severe, it's sensible to speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional for advice.
Keep Your Hay-Band Handy
If you're looking for a drug-free option during hay fever season, Hay-Band is a reusable acupressure band designed to be worn around the arm. It works by applying gentle pressure to the LI-11 acupressure point near the end of the crease of the elbow.
Hay-Band is easy to wear and small enough to keep with you, making it a convenient option whether you've experienced hay fever for years or have only recently started noticing seasonal symptoms.
So, can you suddenly develop hay fever as an adult? Yes. Hay fever can first appear later in life, and around one in five sufferers are reported to develop their first symptoms after the age of 20.
Source: Patient.info – Why do some adults suddenly develop hay fever?