May 6, 2021

Can You Outgrow Hay Fever or Other Allergies?

Find out how allergies work on your body

woman sneezing because of allergies

If you have allergies, you know they can make you miserable. But are they a problem for life, or can you grow out of them?

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Allergist/immunologist Lily Pien, MD, answers common questions about how allergies work, the importance of testing and what you need to know before choosing a doctor.

How do allergies work on your body?

Allergies are a common problem that researchers believe affect 50 million people in the United States. They happen when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance in your body. And allergies can start at any age.

Common triggers include pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, drugs and food.

In some cases, your body sees the substance as a threat and makes immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that cause allergic cells to release histamine, which, in turn, releases mediators that causes allergic symptoms. Reactions can range from mild to severe, and may include sneezing, itching, hives or respiratory problems.

Advertisement

Can you outgrow an allergy?

Dr. Pien says there’s not a definite answer to that question. She says, “Some individuals can lose clinical symptoms to allergens — which can occur with some medication allergies, such as penicillin. Children can sometimes outgrow food allergies like milk and eggs, and mild reactions to venom from insect stings.”

“There has been a recent shift in how we manage pediatric food allergies,” she says. “Building tolerance by offering increasingly larger amounts of an allergen may help those who are at risk for development of food allergies. Patients need to discuss this strategy with their physicians as this is a new and evolving practice.”

This approach is definitely not something you should try on your own at home. Always work with an allergist, Dr. Pien says.

What if you’re not sure if it’s really allergies?

If you have allergies or suspect that you might, it’s a good idea to work with a qualified allergist who can arrange for proper allergy testing, Dr. Pien says.

Advertisement

Recent advancements in testing materials are yielding more accurate allergy diagnoses, she says. If you suspect you may have outgrown an allergy, talk with your doctor about your diagnosis and find out whether getting retested makes sense.

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

person with fall allergies
October 30, 2023
Achoo! Learn More About Fall Allergies

Autumn allergens typically begin to bloom — and release their pesky pollen — around August

While sitting on floor, parent wipes toddler's nose with tissue.
August 1, 2023
Does Your Kid Have Seasonal Allergies? How To Tell and How To Help

Sneezing, coughing and clear mucus shouldn’t be ignored

person blowing their nose outside
May 16, 2023
Allergies Don’t Cause a Fever — At Least, Not Directly

Infections like sinusitis, colds, flu and COVID-19 can cause a fever, but allergies aren’t infections

variety of food allergens such as eggs, milk, wheat, shellfish and nuts
May 3, 2023
Warning Label: The Big 9 of Food Allergens

More than 90% of allergic reactions can be linked to these foods

Graphic of a woman blowing her nose.
March 13, 2023
Allergy Season Is Here To Stay

Every season comes with its own set of allergens

woman pregnant with allergies
March 7, 2023
Seasonal Allergy Medicine You Can Take When You’re Pregnant

Most antihistamines are OK, but avoid decongestants for at least the first trimester

seed pods exploding in spring
February 26, 2023
Why Are My Allergies So Bad?

Time of day, time of year and weather patterns can all make your allergies worse

Are Food Allergies Causing Your Baby’s Diaper Rash?
November 1, 2022
Are Food Allergies Causing Your Baby’s Diaper Rash?

It’s likely a short-term sensitivity (not an allergy) to acidic foods

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

person getting a sinus massage between brows
5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad