Can You Develop Allergies as an Adult?

Can you actually develop allergies as an adult?If you swear you were never allergic to anything growing up—but now pollen, pets, foods, or random hives are ruining your life—you’re not imagining it.In this episode of My Allergist Dad, Drew sits down with his dad, board-certified allergist and immunologist Dr. Z, to break down adult-onset allergies and why they’re becoming more common. They talk about how stress, diet, hormones, pregnancy, illness, the microbiome, and even city living can quietly flip the switch on your immune system later in life.You’ll hear:Why allergies are really a breakdown in toleranceHow stress and poor sleep can make symptoms worseThe role your gut, diet, and processed foods may playWhy some “allergies” aren’t true allergies at allHow hormones and pregnancy can trigger new reactionsWhy taking antihistamines every day might be masking the real issueThey also dig into food sensitivities, environmental triggers, post-pandemic immune changes, and why many people end up stuck in a cycle of self-medicating without answers.As always, this episode mixes real medical insight with humor, relatable stories, and practical takeaways—so you can stop guessing and start understanding what your body’s doing.Have a question for Dr. Z? There’s a link in the description to submit it and get it answered on a future episode.email us - [email protected]