"When Seniors Start Sneezing" - Mauli Desai, MD
Many people think of allergies as a problem afflicting children and young adults. It’s true that allergic rhinitis — or irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose — most commonly begins in the earlier decades of life. That said there is a group of adults with late-onset allergies, starting for the first time in their 50s or 60s and beyond. Mauli Desai, MD, assistant professor of medicine and clinical immunology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, writes, “Allergies are a result of the immune system overreacting to a harmless substance in the environment. Seasonal allergies happen in the spring and fall when pollen counts are high. Indoor allergies such as dust mite, dogs, cats, and mold spores can also cause allergies. In NYC we also need to consider cockroaches as a possible allergenic trigger.” She continued,” Environmental allergies can be a significant problem for older patients with asthma. And sometimes allergic inflammation of the nose can make us more sensitive to irritants such as tobacco smoke and strong smells.”
- Mauli B. Desai, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Clinical Immunology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai