Have you ever had the surprising experience of suddenly starting to sneeze and have a runny nose, not knowing what an allergy was when you were younger?

These days, many people are wondering, "Did I suddenly develop a pollen allergy?" In fact, allergies do not only occur in childhood. It is not uncommon for new allergies to appear in your 20s to 40s, so why does this happen?

Common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes, but surprisingly, fatigue, headaches, and pressure around the nose can easily be confused with a cold. If you have been experiencing these symptoms frequently lately, you might want to suspect a "different allergy" than usual.

If a new allergy has developed, it can also affect the foods you eat. Those with pollen allergies may experience an itchy mouth when eating raw fruits or vegetables. This happens because our immune system mistakenly confuses certain proteins in foods with those in pollen, reacting as if pollen has entered the body.

So why do allergies suddenly appear when everything seemed fine? In fact, experts say it is difficult to pinpoint an "exact reason." However, one thing is certain: climate change is causing the pollen season to start earlier and last longer. As pollen spreads more widely and for longer periods, even those without allergies are increasingly exposed, raising the likelihood of developing new allergies.

Ultimately, even if you have not had symptoms before, if you feel that "this year, my nose is unusually itchy," it is advisable to suspect an allergy. Those who are already well-managed with allergy treatment know that getting tested and starting to address the issue in a timely manner can significantly reduce symptoms and discomfort in daily life.

Especially if your eyes, nose, and throat are itchy, you are sneezing frequently, and you have a runny nose that is not due to a cold, it is a good idea to check for allergies. If you notice that your mouth is particularly itchy or sore after eating certain fruits or vegetables, you should consider whether it might be related to oral allergy syndrome associated with pollen.

If you have been thinking, "I don't have any allergies anyway," you may hope that you won't develop any in the future, but if you suspect symptoms, don't worry too much and consult a professional for testing and advice. With the right mindset, you can manage symptoms well through appropriate medication or lifestyle adjustments.

This spring, if your nose and throat are particularly bothersome, or if your eyes are watering every time the weather is nice, why not nurture a seed of suspicion and visit a clinic?

Addressing unknown allergies in advance is the easiest way to ensure a healthier spring.