Food allergy: Can it develop later in life?

Is it possible to develop a food allergy as an adult? On two separate occasions in the last few months, I've developed bad stomach pains and itchy hives after eating shellfish. This has never happened before.

- Cathy / Tennessee

Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist James Li, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

A food allergy can develop at any time in a person's life. So it's possible to develop a food allergy as an adult. But it's not clear why or how this happens.

Symptoms such as you describe may indicate a food allergy and should not be ignored. Subsequent reactions may be more severe and even life-threatening. Until you consult an allergy specialist, it would be wise to avoid eating any type of shellfish.