Do Allergies Get Worse As You Get Older?

Allergies can get worse as you get older, but it is rare. If you are noticing increased symptoms as you age, something else could be the cause.

Your body can have more trouble handling allergies as you get older, but it is not common (about 1 in 10 people are affected). If you are among those that are facing increasing allergies, the most common causes are:

• Chronic exposure to allergens (for example, the ones that collect on rugs, carpets, sheets, pillows and mattresses in your home) can cause your symptoms to worsen.
• Your immune system can change over time.
• Climate change is making allergy seasons last longer and affect you more.

A constant runny nose at age 40 or older might not be related to allergies at all. Medications and specific types of rhinitis caused by parts of your nasal passages wearing down could be to blame as well.

With all of these known and unknown factors affecting your allergies, it should also come as no surprise that for some people, lifelong allergies can get better after age 40 (Learn more about the many ways your allergies can change as you get older).

Dr. Vincent F. Honrubia, MD, FACS and the team at South Texas Sinus Institute can help you figure out exactly what is happening when it comes to your allergies and other ear, nose and throat symptoms. STSI offers allergy testing and a range of treatment options. Request an appointment online or call 956-661-8200 today.