Can Children Outgrow Their Allergies?

What Does It Mean to "Grow Out" Of An Allergy?

If you’re a parent of a child with allergies, you may be wondering if it’s possible for your child to “grow out” of their allergies. The short answer? Yes! It’s actually pretty common for kids to grow out of certain childhood allergies.

The longer answer is that it depends on the child and it depends on the allergy. In this blog from Premier Allergy & Asthma, we’ll explain everything that you need to know about kids growing out of allergies, and discuss how you may be able to help your own child outgrow certain allergies.

Is It Possible To Outgrow An Allergy?

It is possible for kids to outgrow allergies, but not all kids outgrow their allergies. Also, kids are more likely to outgrow some kinds of allergies than others. For example, about 80% of kids with milk, soy, or egg allergies are able to outgrow them and eat these foods normally. This means these are the allergies that kids are the most likely to outgrow.

However, when it comes to some allergies like peanut allergies, only about 20% of kids outgrow their allergies. This percentage is even lower for shellfish and tree nuts. Only about 10% of kids will outgrow a tree nut allergy, and 5% of kids will outgrow allergies to shrimp and other shellfish.

Of course, food allergies are not the only types of allergies that kids can outgrow. It’s possible for them to outgrow seasonal allergies, too, and stop reacting to pollen, mold, and other common allergens.

‍

How Do I Know If My Child Has Outgrown An Allergy?

Allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to otherwise harmless substances. When the immune system is exposed to a certain allergen, like peanuts, the immune cells recognize it as harmful, and cause an immune reaction. This, in turn, can result in a wide range of allergy symptoms, ranging from harmless to potentially life-threatening.

So, how do kids outgrow allergies? Simply put, they get used to them. Over time, small amounts of exposure to certain allergens can help their bodies learn how to tolerate the allergen. This results in a less severe immune reaction. Eventually, the immune system may stop responding to the allergen completely. This means that your child has completely “outgrown” the allergy.

Can I Help My Child Outgrow Their Allergies?

Yes. One of the techniques used to help children manage or even outgrow allergies is called “immunotherapy,” and this is one of our specialties at Premier Allergy & Asthma. Immunotherapy is basically a clinical version of exposing the process mentioned above, where your child gets used to an allergen over time.

In immunotherapy, one of our allergists will inject your child with a very small, controlled dose of an allergen. By repeating this process over the years, your child’s immune system can be “taught” to handle the allergen properly. This reduces allergy symptoms, and can even help your child outgrow their allergies completely.

Get The Help You Need To Manage Your Child’s Allergies As They Grow

It’s possible for kids to grow out of some food allergies, seasonal allergies, and other allergies. But whether or not they completely grow out of their allergies, proper allergy management is essential for minimizing symptoms and reducing the risk of serious allergic reactions.

And at Premier Allergy & Asthma, we’re here to help. Our team of pediatric allergists specialize in allergy treatment throughout Central Ohio. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and get the help your child needs to keep their allergies under control.

‍