Why Do People Get Food Allergies?

The reasons for developing food allergies later in life are not well understood.  It is theorized that it is a similar porcess to developing other allergies later in life like hay-fever or allergies to certain pollens.  That is, the body is hypersensitive to these foreign bodies at birth, but the immune system suppresses the allergy until it reaches its tolerance when we are older (and immune reaction has 'worn down').  This is when the allergy manifests in symptoms.  Essentially, researchers theorize the allergy was present all along.

There is some evidence that allergies are genetic at least to some degree. Family history is a risk factor, and you're at increased risk of food allergies if other allergies, such as hay fever, asthma, hives or eczema, are common in your family. Apparently a child who has one parent with an allergy has about a 50 percent chance of developing an allergy (food or otherwise). If both parents suffer from allergies, the child has about a 70 percent chance of developing an allergy.


I know it's very frustrating.  I have two very good friends who suddenly developed severe allergies to shellfish.  Another developed a severe allergy to nuts, and nuts or nut oil are in a surprising number of foods.  Of the food allergies that manifest later in life, soy, shellfish and nuts are among the most common.

I hope you are able to manage around this allergy for the time being.  What a pain in the neck for you...  I understand there are some therapies which are effective in treating allergies by introducing the substance in miniscule amounts and then increasing exposures over time.   I wish you the best.