People who have had COVID-19 may be more likely to need allergy medications months after initial infection, according to a large Japanese study.The study analysed health records of more than 778,000 people, suggesting that the effects of COVID-19 may extend beyond the respiratory illness and could be related to immune function after infection.The study, published in BMC Public Health, examined whether people diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to receive new prescriptions for allergy medications than individuals who had not contracted the infection.Researchers analysed health insurance records for 778,362 people diagnosed with COVID-19 and compared them to a group of individuals who were not infected. They tracked new prescriptions for four categories of allergy medications, including antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, eye drops for allergic conditions and nasal sprays used to treat rhinitis.Over a median follow-up period of seven months, people who had COVID-19 were 21% more likely to receive a new prescription for allergy medication than those in the comparison group.The association was stronger among older adults and people with pre-existing health conditions. The researchers also found that elevated prescription rates remained detectable beyond one year after infection in a few high-risk groups.However, the study merely identifies an association between infection and subsequent use of allergy medications and does not establish a causal link. How Could COVID-19 Affect Allergy Risk?Also read: XFG Variant In Spain: COVID-19 Cases Rise Amid Respiratory Infection SurgeAllergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances that are usually harmless, like pollen, dust mites or certain foods. This response can trigger symptoms including sneezing, itching, a runny nose, skin rashes and watery eyes.Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical that is released during these allergic reactions. Leukotriene receptor antagonists target inflammatory elements involved in conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.Researchers believe that infections caused by respiratory viruses can sometimes alter immune responses, affecting processes involved in allergic inflammation.COVID-19 has been known to cause changes in immune system that can last beyond the initial illness. Damage to the lining of the respiratory tract and changes in inflammatory response could influence how the body responds to allergens.However, these mechanisms were not directly established by the Japanese study. The researchers used prescription records rather than laboratory tests to confirm newly developed allergic diseases.Who Is At Greater Risk?Also read: Long COVID: Mouth And Lung Bacteria May Offer CluesThe association between COVID-19 and new allergy medication prescriptions was more pronounced among people aged 65 and older.In this group, the rate of new prescriptions was 33% higher among those who had contracted COVID-19 than among their matched counterparts. Among people with substantial pre-existing illnesses, the rate was 35% higher.The researchers also found that it lasted more than one year in these groups, although it gradually weakened over time.These findings suggest that older adults and people managing multiple health conditions may warrant closer attention to new symptoms following COVID-19. The study's large sample size provides useful evidence about patterns in allergy medication use after COVID-19. But a prescription does not always mean a new allergy diagnosis. Some medications included in the analysis can be prescribed for conditions other than allergies, and people recovering from COVID-19 may have more opportunities to consult doctors or receive prescriptions.The findings also come from Japan and may not apply equally to populations with different healthcare systems, demographics or patterns of medication use. Further research is needed to determine whether COVID-19 contributes to the development of new allergic conditions.