The incidence of food allergies developing in adulthood is on the rise, with some individuals even in their 80s experiencing sudden intolerance. While childhood food allergies are more common, adult-onset allergies can lead to severe reactions, according to health experts.
“Studies suggest that while the majority of food allergies are diagnosed in childhood, about 10 to 20 percent of people with food allergies are diagnosed as adults,” said Dr. Priyanka Porwal, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Aster Clinic, Sheikh Zayed Road. “The prevalence of adult-onset food allergies is rising, though exact figures can vary based on region and population.”
Dr. Porwal noted that a study found 15 percent of patients with an initial food allergy diagnosis developed the issue as adults. “The age at which the first reaction occurred peaked during the early 30s, although there was a wide range, with initial onset as late as 86 years old,” she said.
Zaheer Hashim, 35, experienced an adult-onset allergy firsthand. “I grew up eating seafood and never had an issue,” he shared. “However, five years ago, I ate mussels and immediately began to feel uneasy. I went to the nearby clinic, and they said it was too severe for them to manage. They gave me an injection and my wife rushed me to emergency.”
Hashim was admitted to Rashid Hospital, where he spent a day. “My entire face and tongue had swelled to double its size and I looked very disfigured,” he recalled. “My oxygen saturation dropped to 60 percent. The doctors kept checking my tongue to make sure it was not blocking my airway. They said I was brought to the hospital in the nick of time and if not, it could have been very serious. I have not touched seafood since then.”
Dr. Alaa Zedan, Specialist in Internal Medicine at Burjeel Hospital for Advanced Surgery in Dubai, explained that pinpointing the cause of such allergies can be challenging. “The immune system changes over time,” he said. “Some possible causes include exposure to new allergens, family history, immune system changes, and limited childhood exposure.”
Dr. Priyanka added that dietary changes could also be a factor. “Dietary changes for weight loss or with protein supplementation along with a new exercise regimen have been noted anecdotally in the months preceding onset of food allergy, particularly wheat and cow’s milk,” she explained.
Megha Phillip, 32, developed a wheat allergy later in life. A week after arriving in Dubai, the Indian nurse suffered a severe allergic reaction to a flatbread. “I began to feel uneasy and had severe red, itchy rashes across my body,” she recalled. She fainted upon arriving at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, for her training to join as a nurse.
Phillip spent two days in the ICU, under constant monitoring for low blood pressure. “I spent five years working as a nurse in India’s capital, New Delhi,” she said. “I ate flatbread almost daily during my stay there; I have no idea how I developed this allergy so late in life.”
Dr. Alaa emphasized the importance of managing allergies, as reactions can vary greatly between individuals. “Allergies don’t usually have life-threatening consequences for most people,” he said. “However, if you’re at risk of anaphylaxis, it’s essential to carry an epinephrine auto-injector and use it immediately if you experience allergy symptoms. This could be lifesaving.”
