The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but its health effects continue to be studied. Now, a new study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with an increased risk of developing six allergic conditions in children and adults.The study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, examined the potential burden of allergic diseases following COVID-19 infection among people aged 1 to 64 years.Which Allergic Conditions Were Linked To COVID?Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using 1:2 propensity-score matching to assess the association between COVID-19 infection and the development of allergic conditions over 18 months. The study found that COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of six allergic conditions: atopic dermatitis,asthma, food allergy, rhinoconjunctivitis, medication allergy urticaria (hives).Also read: ‘American Covid’ Strain Drives 50% Surge in UK Hospital Admissions: XFG Symptoms to KnowAmong the active-duty subgroup, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were significantly associated with previous COVID-19 infection.Among children, all the conditions except food allergy showed a significant association with infection.The researchers also found that higher sponsor rank, evaluated as a potential indicator of socioeconomic status, was associated with a slight protective effect against developing asthma.What's the Link Between COVID And Allergies?Researchers from the Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, said the findings highlight a potential public health burden from allergic diseases following COVID-19 infection.They emphasized the importance of monitoring for allergic conditions after infection so they can be identified and treated promptly.The findings could point toward a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and type 2 inflammation, an immune pathway involved in several allergic diseases.Further, the researchers explained that SARS-CoV-2 was found to disrupt the immune system and affect multiple organs during and after infection. This was seen early in the pandemic with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). Later, long COVID emerged, with symptoms including fatigue, persistent cough, breathlessness, nasal congestion, runny nose and rash.Read More: CSIR-CCMB Scientists Find Flu & COVID Viruses May Affect A Protein Linked To Parkinson’s DiseaseIn a blogpost, Dr. Alan Khadavi, an allergy and asthma specialist in Los Angeles, described that several factors could explain the association between COVID-19 and allergic disease. These include1. Changes In Type 2 InflammationSARS-CoV-2 may alter immune regulation and promote type 2 inflammation, an immune pathway involved in several allergic conditions.2. Mast Cell ActivationCOVID-19 may activate mast cells, which release histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. This can contribute to symptoms such as itching, hives, nasal congestion and wheezing.3. Respiratory ChangesInflammation in the nose, sinuses and lungs following COVID-19 could potentially make the respiratory system more sensitive to environmental triggers.4. Increased Indoor ExposurePandemic-related lifestyle changes also increased time spent indoors, potentially increasing exposure to dust mites, pets, mold, cockroach allergens and indoor air pollutants.Can COVID Make Existing Allergies Worse?Respiratory viruses are known to trigger asthma flare-ups. According to Dr. Khadavi, COVID-19 could add to this risk because immune changes may persist in some people after infection.However, the study found an association, not causation. Its retrospective design means it cannot prove that COVID-19 directly causes allergic disease or that type 2 inflammation is the underlying mechanism.