How do we sometimes get allergies much later in life, even if we have been exposed to the allergens for a few years?

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All,

I moved to a new country about a decade ago and didn’t have any issues. However, 3 years ago I started getting pollen allergies and they are only getting worse each year. My doctor said that it happens that we randomly get allergies and they can last even the decades.

How does this happen?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

We can develop allergies over time through repeated exposure. My dad worked as a dentist for 40+ years and over time he developed a contact allergy for plastic composites.

Essentially, by getting into contact with primarily the gooey stuff used to make molds of peoples teeth on a daily basis caused him to eventually become allergic to it. He was always wearing gloves, but the plastic particles are so fine that they can get through even multiple pair of gloves.

So now, if he touches that gooey stuff or similar plastic composites like silicone sealing paste for example, even when wearing gloves, the flesh will literally fall of his fingers.

So repeated exposure could be one reason.

Another could be that it’s a new allergen for you. Maybe a new plant has started growing in your close environment that you are allergic to.

I think multiple exposure to different allergens can also make you more sensitive, so if there are many different allergens you get exposed to, their combined effect can overwhelm your immune system.

Pollution can also make you more sensitive, so maybe the air quality has become worse or is finally starting to take it’s toll on your health.

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