What’s the Connection Between Age and Allergies?

Avoiding the risk of old age allergy

The following are some of the measures you can put into place to avoid the risk of old age allergy :

Eat a healthy diet

A healthy and well-rounded diet can provide the body with sufficient nutrients to provide strength and shore up its immunity. You or a loved one can include into your diets foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. These include fish, fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds⁶.

Keep away from allergens

Just as the saying goes prevention is better than the cure, the best way to avoid allergic reactions is to keep away from allergens. For cases like dust allergies, this might be difficult with dust mites nearly everywhere. However, you can keep your house nice and tidy to avoid dust mites from multiplying.

Caring for a loved one with old age allergy

Because older adults may develop entirely new allergies, it is important to watch out for signs and symptoms of allergies in your parents, grandparents, and older friends. If an ageing loved one exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, it would be best to consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment⁷.

However, here are basic tips that you can put into practice in caring for an elderly with allergies:

Clean and sanitise your home

While staying indoors may keep your senior away from potential outdoor allergens, there are also plenty of possible allergens indoors, like dust, or pet dander. Keeping your home clean and sanitised helps you minimise potential allergy triggers⁷. When you or your loved ones return home from outside, remove your shoes, wash hands thoroughly, and take a shower to remove allergen particles that may have stuck on to your clothes.

Use medication

Antihistamines are the first line of defence against allergies and second-generation antihistamine is preferred for the elderly. Second-generation antihistamines include loratadine, which is the active ingredient in Clarityn®. It does not impair cognitive performance, and has a high safety record, including for older patients⁸. Once a day dosage is more suitable for elderly in terms of convenience and treatment compliance⁹. It is used to relieve a variety of allergic reactions and symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and rashes. For nasal stuffiness or congestion, do consult your healthcare professional for decongestants such as Clarityn-D®*.

Elderly is advised against using first-generation antihistamines to reduce risk of fall and agitation. These first-generation antihistamines are sedating and have a higher risk of negative reactions in the elderly, including anxiety, arrhythmia, and urinary problems⁷.

Try drug-free solutions

Seniors may also use natural solutions such as nasal hygiene sprays such as ClariCare® to help rinse out their nasal passages. This helps to minimize allergy symptoms like stuffy nose and sneezing while keeping the nose hydrated. When outside, minimize exposure to outdoor allergens by wearing sunglasses or other eyewear to prevent allergens from getting near the eyes.

Staying healthy and living your best is important at any age. When it comes to coping with changes that accompany growing old, it is essential to take proper precautions and care for healthy aging. Manage allergies for you or your loved ones and live life to the fullest.

*Read the patient information leaflet before use. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.