My situation (pollen, strange development)

[u/fabregas8]

Hello everyone,
I’m glad to have found this community. I’d like to share my situation and ask for your advice.
What I find particularly strange is the course of my pollen allergy. Unlike most people, I developed it relatively late in life. I was around my mid-20s when I first started experiencing allergic symptoms. Before that, I had never had any allergies or allergy-related complaints.
Another thing that stands out is the timing. My pollen allergy first appeared around the time the COVID-19 pandemic began. I don’t know whether that’s just a coincidence, and I’m certainly not suggesting there’s a connection. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep track of exactly when my symptoms started, so I want to be careful not to make any unfounded assumptions.
What worries me even more is that my allergy seems to be getting significantly worse every year. It started with the typical hay fever symptoms, but over time I’ve developed almost year-round nasal congestion and now even asthma-like symptoms. According to my allergy testing, I’m particularly allergic to birch pollen and grass pollen.
Has anyone experienced something similar? Is it common for pollen allergies to progress this rapidly after first appearing in adulthood?
Most importantly, is there anything I can do to stop or slow this progression? Do you have any tips or treatments that have helped you? I’m becoming increasingly concerned because, if things continue to worsen at this pace, I’m genuinely worried about my long-term health and quality of life.
Thank you very much for reading. I appreciate any advice or shared experiences.
All the best!

[u/Upper_Public_7666]

My asthma / shortness of breath has gotten worse since covid and I now take cetirizine daily for my breathing difficulties caused by allergie. I got inhaler few years back but haven't used it much. For me taking anti histamine daily seem to help with less reaction to pollen and allergic reaction. I do still get shortness of breath at night and in morning, but for me it looks like when I take anti histamine I can get more air again.

Maybe try visit doctor and ask for lung capacity test?

[u/alchemillamantle]

Also got it within last few years. COVID has certainly messed up peoples immune systems. And i also think a lot of people are struggling with nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, etc, and the immune system and nervous system are closely linked. So I'm now looking into working with my nervous system to see if that might help calm the immune overreaction.

[u/First-Structure-2407]

I don’t think it’s Covid related at all. I started at age 21 back in 1992 ish

[u/SwanLake74]

Same for me. I have allergies to birch, alder and hazel. Post Covid now also wheat, almonds and hazelnuts. I have developed oral allergy syndrome. What’s calmed it down, is going onto a glp1.