Can an allergy come on suddenly?

A allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to actually harmless substances. The contact of the allergen with the mucous membranes or the skin is sufficient for this. Why this exaggerated reaction occurs in the body has not been fully researched by scientists. Suspected causes include predisposition, hormonal changes, environmental influences and exaggerated hygiene. Especially a pollen allergy can catch many ice-cold, who until then had no problems with pollen.

As strange as it sounds: city dwellers have hay fever more often than those who are surrounded by meadows and fields. Big-city dwellers are more likely to suddenly develop an allergy than people who live and grew up in the countryside. Allergists therefore believe a link between pollen and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from air pollution is likely.

However, all other forms such as. house dust allergy, animal hair allergy, contact allergy, food allergy, insect bite allergy  and mold allergy can pop up out of the blue. Allergies are becoming more and more widespread in the population and are now already being called the widespread disease of the 21st century - and it can affect anyone, whether they are children, adults or seniors.

Who gets a short sneezing fit when dusting, because the small particles tickle in the nose, has still far no allergy. If, on the other hand, you have to sneeze frequently indoors, your nose is stuffy and your eyes itch, this could be an indication of a house dust allergy.

Typical signs of allergic rhinitis are:

• frequent sneezing
• runny nose
• congested nose
• itchy nose

Vigorous allergic reactions can even lead to shortness of breath and allergic asthma .  

If the allergens hit the sensitive mucous membranes of the eyes, discomfort can also develop here:

• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• reddened eyes
• puffy eyelids
• allergic conjunctivitis 

In contrast, in a contact allergy, the skin usually reacts with irritation and skin rash:

• Itchiness
• red spots on the skin
• pustules
• pustules
• swelling
• hives 

If you suddenly suffer from the above symptoms, it is best to see a doctor who can clarify the causes. If the suspicion of an allergy is confirmed, the doctor can perform an allergy test and determine the allergy triggers.

The most common allergy triggers in adolescents and adults are flower pollen from trees, grains, grasses, and herbs. Many hay fever sufferers in particular suffer from birch pollen allergy or hazel allergy. Pollen are for many allergy sufferers the entrance into the suffering way, which begins every year in the spring of

New and can hit people of all ages out of the blue. They also favor the occurrence of cross-allergies to foods such as apples, hazelnuts or celery. Typical allergies in babies and young children, on the other hand, are food allergies to milk, eggs, nuts, or wheat, but these can sometimes disappear over the years.

The list is endless. However, certain allergens can trigger sniffles or itching particularly frequently:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Animal dander
• Molds
• Fragrances
• Metals
• Latex
• Medicines
• Food
• Insect venom

If you suspect one of the substances behind your symptoms, you should avoid the trigger at all costs until the doctor has done a test.

Just as suddenly as allergies can occur, they can actually disappear. The immune system changes over the years just like the living conditions and the place of residence. Those who had allergies as children may be completely free of symptoms as adults. In children, food allergies often disappear. But also with adults sometimes the hay fever disappears after some years by itself.

However you should not rely on it, if you suffer recently from an allergy. Because sometimes the complaints come back after years of break. Allergies always require treatment, as they can lead to allergic asthma if left untreated. Therefore, it is urgent to relieve even mild hay fever with anti-allergic nasal sprays andanti-allergic eye drops . If the symptoms are severe, therapy with medication is necessary.