When I was younger and lived in Southern California I had very bad allergies. Some days I would even break out in hives and had to get weekly allergy shots. When I got older and moved to Northern California, I didn't have as bad of allergies or hives anymore. Is it possible to outgrow allergies? Can your location, geography or weather have an impact on your allergies?
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Hi Kristin,
Thanks for your response, that helps so much! Allergies can be so miserable to deal with sometimes. I was so happy when I was little and didn't have them anymore when I moved from southern to northern California.
Every now and then my allergies pick up again with the changes of seasons. That's a great idea to record your allergy times and symptoms in a journal. I'll definitely have to do that next time I start having them so I can get the best treatment.
Thank you!!! :)
August 22, 2014 - 11:31pmThis Comment
Hi Erin!
Thank you for sharing your question with the EmpowHER community! I am glad that you seemed to 'outgrow' such bad allergies! Hives and allergy shots are no fun, especially for children who are so active and want to run and play outdoors! Unfortunately, I suffer from bad allergies. My son also seemed to inherit this unfortunate condition from me!
Allergies are so unpredictable. Symptoms can disappear later in life as well as come out of the blue as one ages. I used to be allergic to cats as a child and now they don't bother me in the slightest.
How allergy sufferers react to allergens can vary from person to person, though doctors don't know exactly why. By the same token, allergies can vary in the same individual from one season to another or from one allergen to another.
New York-based allergist Clifford W. Bassett, MD says that in general, kids can grow out of allergies.
Yes, your allergies can be impacted geographically depending on where you live, the length of the season, and the type of pollen you're exposed. Local climate also plays a role. For instance, I can travel 3 miles north east to the mountains and not sneeze a bit. I come back to the dry climate in Phoenix where the dust is high and I am a wreck.
It's always unpredictable and it affects my son and I terribly. We have a close relationship with our allergist and I also keep records of when allergies are at their worst and when we experience decreased symptoms. Sharing this journal with our doctors, help them to suggest the right treatment without having to continuously do prick tests.
I hope this answers your question Erin!
Best,
Kristin
August 22, 2014 - 1:10pmThis Comment