Allergies are a puzzling and deeply personal experience. One might sneeze uncontrollably at the sight of pollen, another might break out in hives from milk, and yet another might carry an EpiPen due to a severe nut allergy. While some people struggle with worsening symptoms over time, others find that their allergies subside as they age. Scientists say that genetics, the immune system, changes, and exposure to allergens all play a role in how allergies develop—and sometimes disappear.
They can affect almost any part of the body. Some people experience skin reactions such as hives or rashes, while others may have respiratory issues like sneezing, congestion, or asthma attacks. Eye irritation, swelling of the lips or tongue, and digestive symptoms can also occur depending on the type of allergen. The variety of symptoms makes it challenging to diagnose allergies quickly, and many people may not even realize they are allergic until they are exposed to a trigger.
Allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, such as peanuts or pollen, as a threat. The body releases chemicals such as histamine, which causes symptoms like swelling, itching, or sneezing. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, this reaction is driven by an antibody called IgE, which “binds to allergens and triggers the release of chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.”
For some, allergies can actually get worse over time. Jacob Rodriguez shares, “I used to sit at the peanut-free table at lunch, but now my peanut allergy has gotten even worse, and I also have new allergies to other kinds of nuts.” This can happen because the immune system sometimes becomes more sensitive with repeated exposure. Research shows that many adults develop new food allergies even if they had none as children, suggesting that immune changes over time can lead to new sensitivities.
Some people may experience what is known as cross-reactivity, in which an allergy to one substance triggers a reaction to another similar substance. For example, someone allergic to peanuts might also react to tree nuts, or a person allergic to birch pollen might experience symptoms when eating certain fruits. Cross-reactivity adds another layer of complexity to managing allergies and highlights why allergists often perform detailed testing.
But for others, the opposite happens. Some people “outgrow” their allergies as their immune system matures and becomes more tolerant. Previously having an allergy, Claire Kwon (11) explains, “When I was younger, I used to be allergic to cucumbers, and even a couple of bites would make my throat itch. But I outgrew it as I got older, and now I can eat cucumbers with no side effects!”
This is not unusual—especially for children. Healthline explains that most kids outgrow allergies to milk, egg, soy, and wheat by the time they reach adolescence. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish are more likely to persist into adulthood. Scientists believe that outgrowing an allergy happens when the immune system learns to tolerate an allergen and produces fewer allergic antibodies (IgE) over time.
The immune system’s response can change over time, which is why some people might see their allergies become more or less severe as they grow older. Ongoing medical care, awareness, and preparation can help prevent emergencies and improve the quality of life for those with allergies.
Some allergies, like food allergies to peanuts or shellfish, can cause sudden, severe reactions that require an EpiPen or emergency care. Others, like seasonal pollen allergies, may cause discomfort but are usually manageable with medication or avoidance strategies. The wide range of reactions highlights why personalized allergy management is so important: what is mild for one person could be serious for another.
The severity of allergic reactions can vary widely from person to person. Derek Truong (11) shares an example of a milder reaction: “I’ve been allergic to sunscreen since I was a kid. I am allergic to anything that ends in ‘zone’, which is a common ingredient in most sunscreens. If I do come in contact with it, I get rashes and my skin becomes red, but it is nothing too bad. Even when someone sprays themself when they’re close to me, I can get a small reaction. During the summertime or when I am on vacation, I have to use heavy-duty sunscreen, which is not the best because it makes my skin look really white.” Derek’s experience shows that even mild allergies can impact daily life, especially during activities like being outdoors in the sun.
Others, however, experience stronger symptoms, like Jasmine Shubick (9) explain, “When I’m around dogs or cats, I get itchy, red rashes, and sometimes I sneeze a lot or get watery eyes. My skin can swell or get hives where it touches fur. To treat it, I wash my skin and clothes, put a cool compress on the aggravated areas, and take an antihistamine. I also use hydrocortisone cream on rashes. I try to avoid pets and keep my space clean to prevent reactions.” Jasmine’s experiences show that repeated exposure to an allergen can trigger multiple symptoms at once, including skin, respiratory, and eye reactions, making daily life more complicated.
Similar to Derek, Milanee Abucay’s (11) peanut allergy is on the mild side, as she shares, “My allergy isn’t remotely bad compared to how intense other people’s allergies can be. When I’m exposed to peanuts, I need to eat them to react, and I usually get itchy hives. These will go away with an EpiPen or over-the-counter allergy medicine.” Her experience shows that even within the same type of allergen, severity can range from mild to severe depending on the individual.
Allergies do not just affect the body–they can affect daily life, routines, and mental health. Children like Jacob may feel anxious at school or social events because they have to constantly monitor exposure to allergens. Even mild allergies can influence what a person eats, what products they use, and which activities they can safely participate in.
Even though allergies can be unpredictable, research continues to uncover new ways to treat and manage them. Treatments such as immunotherapy, which expose people to small amounts of an allergen to build tolerance, show promising results. Allergen immunotherapy can retrain the immune system to reduce sensitivity over time. From allergy shots to new therapies to help build tolerance, scientists are finding hope for people who deal with allergies every day.
Whether allergies fade or intensify, they remain a reminder of how unique each person’s body is—and how much more there is to learn about the science behind them.
