Why would somebody develop allergies after leaving the Military?

SrA Marlin Taylor — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:08:10 -0500

I grew up with no allergies at all. Now I have allergies to foods and animals along with the hated "Hay Fever". I am just wondering if I am the only one that has developed allergies since leaving Military service.

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Dec 24 at 2015 3:09 PM

SPC Rory J. Mattheisen — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:09:15 -0500

I know of many people that have developed allergies since their time in service.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 24 at 2015 3:11 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 15:11:15 -0500

I have Akitas, and developed an allergy to them, I take my pills and deal with it. I suspect it is an age thing though, not gonna blame the Military for it.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 24 at 2015 5:09 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 17:09:51 -0500

I have always been allergic to Walnuts. However since leaving the service, more specifically in the last year my allergies have "spread" to the other Tree Nuts (Macadamias, Pecans, Almonds, etc).

Just because you weren't allergic before doesn't mean you won't become allergic. Or more specifically, just because a "minor" allergy doesn't present, doesn't mean it won't get worse.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 5:31 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 17:31:33 -0500

I never had allergies till the summer I got back from OSUT. Happens to be that I didn't enlist till 25. First sign of not being a kid any more I think.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 6:43 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 18:43:58 -0500

It's a number of different factors. If you grow up in a certain area you get used to certain things in your area. Then you join and all of a sudden you are in a different environment with hundreds of other people bringing with them whatever they have. In boot camp, that initial illness you get at the beginning is called "the crud", but it doesn't stop there; it can drive your body insane how much you are being exposed to.

The second big factor is that your body changes over time. It's not so much that you develop thing after you leave the military as much as it is that four years (or more) have passed.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 27 at 2015 8:31 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 08:31:17 -0500

As you get older you can develop allergies to things you previously were not (or only had a minor reaction to). I had no allergies when I was younger. Now at 52 I have reactions at certain times of the year to different things. I don't think it is service related as your questions seems to indicate. Because you left the service and then developed allergies does not create a causation. I left the military and gained weight. Does leaving the military cause the extra weight? My eyesight became worse after I left the service too. Correlation without causation I think.

Response by SN Jeremiah Lozano made Mar 31 at 2016 9:24 AM

SN Jeremiah Lozano — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 09:24:48 -0400

I actually was not allergic to anything at all before I joined the Navy but after I was done I was allergic to basically any over the counter medication (remember I was never before) and I was also hyper sensitive to some foods. I feel this developed after the shot line and wait...I developed seizures along with all the allergic reactions as well which eventually got me medically discharged and again I never had any sign of seizures before. Now my life has changed and I basically just live with what I got....it is what it is I guess.....