# Question about Food Allergies

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 19, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536 "2016-03-19T15:38:10Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ChrisCash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@ChrisCash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCash)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536/1 "2016-03-19T15:38:10Z")

</div>

What is the likelihood for a person who has no known food allergies to spontaneously develop them as an adult?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536/2 "2016-03-19T15:48:03Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> In the elderly, the prevalence of food allergies is estimated at 5% to 10%,1,2 but is likely underestimated and underdiagnosed, and thus undertreated. A study reported that 24.8% of geriatric nursing home patients (mean age of 77) were positive (skin test) for food allergens.3,4 It is speculated that 25% to 30% of adults self-diagnose food allergies, but the true prevalence is approximately 5% in industrialized countries.4,5 Notably, food allergies can develop at any time and are not limited to manifestation in the pediatric population.

from: [Late-Onset Food Allergies](http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/0515p8.shtml)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536/3 "2016-03-19T15:50:13Z")

</div>

I’m going to guess entirely possible. I’ve been having some health issues and both Drs I’ve seen asked if I’ve ever been tested. Twice, both times, non allergic. When I told them this, they both made a point of telling me that it doesn’t mean I haven’t developed some since! In fact, I may have to be tested again!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [March 19, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-food-allergies/749536/4 "2016-03-19T15:51:28Z")

</div>

Not merely food allergies, but any allergies can spontaneously develop or disappear at any age.