13 Common Allergy Myths That Are Completely Inaccurate

• Allergies are an immune response your body has to specific allergens in an attempt to protect you from the unknown substance.
• Allergies are extremely common: over one-quarter of adults and children in the U.S. experience some type of allergy.
• Allergy myths can contribute to misinformation and confusion surrounding the severity and treatment of allergens.

An allergy is the body’s reaction to an allergen (foreign protein) entering the body. When allergic to a specific protein or substance, your immune system kicks into gear and creates antibodies to destroy it. However, your immune system may sometimes react severely, causing symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Allergies are extremely common and can occur due to food, pollen, animals, dust, etc.

Some of the more common allergens include:

• Food allergy: common food allergies include an egg allergy, peanut allergy, or wheat allergy, though there are many others.
• Animal allergy: such as allergens found in pet dander, saliva, urine, and dead skin cells. Some may also be allergic to insect stings.
• Inhalant allergy: such as dust particles, dust mites, mold, weed pollens, and other pollen from flowers, trees, and grass

Despite how widespread allergies are, there are still plenty of common myths and misconceptions that can cause confusion. This can cause people not to take allergies seriously, delay treatment, or experience avoidable allergy symptoms.

1. You Can Only Develop Allergies as a Child

It’s not uncommon for allergies to develop in childhood. However, it’s not the only period where allergies can develop. Some allergens, such as a food allergy, may not have affected a person as a child, only to become allergic to them as an adult.

Older adults (65+) are more likely to develop allergies due to their immune system weakening over time, though adult onset allergies can happen at any age. Additionally, allergy symptoms may trigger other conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or severe eczema, making them harder to treat and diagnose.

2. You Can’t Outgrow Allergies

While it’s possible to develop allergies as an adult, it’s also possible to outgrow them. In fact, many children outgrow allergies. For example, food allergies developed as a child, like peanuts or shellfish, may eventually disappear as a person grows into adulthood. However, there is no way to guarantee this will occur.

3. Food Intolerances are the Same as Food Allergies

While food intolerance and food allergies may have similarities, they are different. Food intolerances involve foods that can cause symptoms that make you feel unwell, such as diarrhea, gas, bloating, or vomiting. While these intolerances are unpleasant, they aren’t life-threatening. 

However, food allergies can be life-threatening and cause severe allergic reactions, making them a more serious issue. While in both cases, a person may avoid certain foods to avoid symptoms, allergies are more serious. That’s why it’s important for these to be marked in a person’s medical history and for family members, loved ones, and others to be aware of these allergies.

4. Allergies Cause Asthma

Asthma is a chronic illness that causes inflammation and narrows the pathways in the lungs, which causes difficulty breathing. Asthma symptoms are similar to allergic reaction symptoms, including chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. However, allergies do not always cause asthma. Having allergies may put you at higher risk of developing asthma and can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, which can, at times, be referred to as allergic asthma.

5. 10% of People Are Allergic to Penicillin 

Penicillin is one of the most commonly discussed drug allergens, however, it’s not as common as many believe. 10% of the population reports having a penicillin allergy, however, reports show that only 1% of those reported have a true allergy to penicillin. 

Additionally, those who have a true allergy to the drug will likely outgrow it, making testing important before refusing penicillin as a medication.

6. Short-haired Animal Breeds Won’t Cause Allergies

A common misconception regarding animal allergies is that long fur is the allergen culprit. This can lead people to believe short-hair breeds won’t trigger an allergic reaction.

However, animal allergens aren’t solely found in fur: salvia, dander/​dead skin cells, and urine can all carry allergens that can cause a reaction.

7. Allergies are Harmless

While it’s tempting to write off allergies as harmless, this isn’t true for many people. Some may experience mild allergy symptoms that feel inconvenient. However, some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to an allergen, which can lead to anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) that may include trouble breathing. Even more common symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, skin flakes, or chronic allergic inflammation may negatively impact someone’s quality of life.

8. Flower Pollen is The Leading Cause of Allergies

Seasonal allergies are one of the more common allergens, but is flower pollen the leading cause? The reality is that flower pollen is heavier, making it difficult to be picked up by the wind and transferred through the air. On the other hand, pollen from trees, grass, and weeds are much smaller and finer, making them easier to pick up by the wind.

9. You Should Only Take Allergy Medications After a Reaction

Many people only think to take allergy medications after they’ve begun experiencing symptoms. However, taking allergy medications, such as antihistamines, before encountering an allergen is a way to help prevent allergic reactions or minimize a person’s symptoms.

10. Small Amounts of a Food Allergen Won’t Hurt

When dealing with food allergens, food allergy myths are often rampant with misinformation. For example: the myth that having only a tiny amount of food won’t cause an issue or reaction. While each person may have different responses to a specific food allergen, avoiding foods you know you’re allergic to is always advised.

While those with food intolerances may eat a small amount of food and deal with minimal symptoms, this isn’t the case with those who have a food allergy. Even a small amount of the substance can cause a severe allergic reaction.

11. Dust Mites Only Live In Dirty/​Unclean Homes

Dust mites, tiny bugs that feed off dead skin cells, are a common allergen. Despite the name, they do not live or exist only in dust. Dust mites rarely spend much time in the dust; they are more commonly found on soft surfaces in the home, such as mattresses.

While dusting is a good way to help keep your space clean and help with some allergy-related issues, dust mites aren’t a sign of a dirty home. Dust mites can appear in any type of home, even the most well-cleaned spaces. 

12. Allergic Rhinitis and the Common Cold are the Same

Allergic rhinitis, or ​“hay fever,” is an allergic reaction most commonly caused by pollen, mold, dust mites, or animal dander. It’s an immune reaction to a specific allergen. The common cold, however, is caused by a bacterial virus, not an allergen.

Both hay fever and the cold have similar symptoms, such as cough, runny/​stuffy nose, and fatigue. However, colds usually include body aches and a sore throat, while hay fever includes sneezing and itchy or watery eyes. Colds usually resolve symptoms after a few days, while hay fever symptoms will continue as long as the person is in contact with the allergen.

13. Allergen Avoidance is the Only Safe Option

Effective treatments for allergies often focus on avoiding allergens, such allergenic foods or outdoor allergens. This may include not wearing clothing inside that has collected pollen and showering after being outside during allergy season. While this may be an option for single food allergies or less severe allergies, it can be tricky to manage this medical condition with avoidance alone.

As such, it’s important to avoid things that trigger allergic reactions, such as a trigger food, but also to know that it isn’t the only form of treatment available for allergies.

Given how common allergens can be, medications can help when allergens can’t be avoided or are too hidden to notice. Some medications, such as allergy shots, can help prevent allergic outbreaks or limit a severe reaction.Other allergy medications, such as an OTC allergy pill or nasal spray, can be taken before or after allergen exposure to help relieve symptoms. With medications it’s important to practice gradually increasing doses.

When allergens trigger anaphylaxis, when the body’s immune system reacts to an allergen in a way that can be life threatening, someone should be treated immediately. To treat anaphylaxis, a doctor will administer any necessary medical treatments and help someone identify what caused the severe reaction. If pollen and other outdoor allergens are to blame, for example, a doctor may prescribe a new medication while pet allergies may mean someone has to stay away from family and friends’ dogs and cats.