25 Noteworthy Allergy Statistics & Facts to Know in 2024

Allergy Statistics

Allergies occur when we inhale or ingest a foreign substance—i.e., an allergen—or when it enters our bloodstream. As a result, our immune system is triggered, and our bodies produce the so-called IgE antibodies. After the allergens sort of “clutch” to these antibodies, different chemicals are released into our blood, such as histamine, which actually causes the symptoms. 

Since allergies can be a significant problem in our lives, we have elaborated on the most critical allergy statistics and facts to show the ways allergies can not only be an annoyance but a serious health threat. Let’s dive into the topic and learn more.

Critical Allergy Statistics for 2024

Essential Allergy Statistics

In the US, around 40% of children have allergies, and over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. Moreover, allergies are sixth among the leading chronic diseases in the US, with an annual cost of $18 billion. Keep reading for more data.

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Source: Statista

1. As per the seasonal allergy statistics, hay fever affects about 40% of children.

(Healthline) (Mayo Clinic)

We live in the industrialized world where the number of people suffering from allergic diseases keeps increasing. For instance, allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is found in 10%–30% of adults in the US. Namely, this allergy causes runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, and sneezing.

2. Anaphylaxis-type reactions occur in around one in 1,000 people worldwide.

(Allergy UK) (Mayo Clinic)

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that might happen during general anesthesia. Notably, allergy statistics say that the prevalence is about one in 10,000–20,000 anesthesia cases. That’s why patients who undergo surgery must inform the anesthesiologist of their allergies to any medications.

3. Around 150–200 people die in the US each year because of food allergies.

(How Stuff Works

Stats on food allergy deaths per year are quite troubling. According to estimates, up to 62% of fatal anaphylactic outcomes are caused by peanut allergies. At the same time, the UK food allergy deaths statistics disclose that no more than ten people die from food allergies per year. However, we can’t rely on these figures. For obvious reasons, deaths due to allergies aren’t the most reportable events. 

4. Allergy statistics worldwide from 2020 uncovered that 339 million people had asthma. 

(WHO)

In children, asthma is the most common noncommunicable disease. Be that as it may, most deaths occur in older adults. 

While asthma is a public health issue in both high- and low-income countries, most deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income countries. It’s also worth pointing out that the condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated. 

5. The asthma statistics indicate that over 24 million Americans suffer from this condition. 

(Allergy Asthma Network)

It affects 7.7% of adults and 7.5% of children. While asthma is more prevalent in males than females in childhood, that’s not the case for adults when it is more common in females than males. When it comes to ethnicities, allergy statistics uncover that asthma is more likely to happen in Blacks, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives. 

6. 90% of US households have detectable levels of cat or dog allergens. 

(WebMD) (Filtrete)

Moreover, cat and dog allergy statistics in the US uncover that up to 30% of people have allergic reactions to dogs and cats. Be that as it may, people naturally opt for a struggle rather than give up on their furry best friend. What’s more, cat allergy statistics indicate that cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies. 

7. Data on allergy in the UK show some of the highest global rates of allergy.

(Allergy UK)

In other words, over 20% of the UK’s population is affected by one or more allergic disorders. Allergy stats from the UK tell us that 44% of British adults suffer from at least one allergic condition. Of those, almost 48% have multiple allergies.

8. 20%–30% of people with asthma have pet allergies, as per pet allergy statistics.

(Wiley Online Library)

With this in mind, the best types of pets for allergic people are those without fur or hair and those that don’t shed dander or produce excrement, which causes allergic issues. In most cases, diagnosing pet allergy is easy since symptoms occur right after exposure. However, sometimes people have to do skin tests or special allergy blood tests to confirm an allergy. 

Food Allergy Statistics

Taking into account the staggering dangers of food allergies, we’ve dedicated a separate section to them. They have recently been subjected to a great deal of research—scientists are still puzzled as to why there’s been such an increase in the number of deaths caused by food allergies.

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Source: Statista

9. Over 170 foods can cause allergic reactions, according to statistics on food allergies.

(Research Gate

About 90% of reported allergic reactions are caused by milk, eggs, peanuts, nuts (walnuts, hazelnut, almonds, pecans, cashews, etc.), fish, shellfish, wheat, soybeans, and crustaceans. Food allergy statistics worldwide reveal that the prevalence rates are lower in developing countries and emerging economies like India, Brazil, and China. 

10. About 9% of Australian one-year-olds have an egg allergy.

(BBC)

The number of food allergy cases has increased in the last three decades, especially in industrialized societies. What’s more, food allergy statistics worldwide from 2019 find that Australia had the highest confirmed food allergy rates. Approximately 3% of one-year-olds in Australia were allergic to peanuts. 

11. In 2017, 1.25 million people had peanut allergies, based on peanut allergies statistics.

(MedPage Today)

These stats are of importance. To put it differently, the percentage of the population with a peanut allergy was 12%. Between 2001 and 2017, the annual peanut allergy incidence in one-year-olds increased from 1.7% to 5.2%. In addition, peanut allergies statistics discover that allergists diagnosed 500,000 children and adolescents with peanut allergies the same year.  

12. The number of medical procedures treating anaphylaxis due to food allergies rose by 380% in 2007–2016.

(Inclusion Technologies

Every three minutes, someone goes to the emergency room because of a food allergy. Moreover, food allergy statistics in the US affirm that 200,000 people require immediate medical care for allergic reactions to certain foods each year. In addition, between the late 90s and the mid-2000s, childhood hospitalization due to food allergies tripled. 

13. Milk allergy statistics confirm that the prevalence of cow’s milk allergies ranges from 0.5% to 3% in one-year-olds. 

(NCBI)

Facts about food allergies report that cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is an immune-mediated reaction to proteins in cow’s milk that happens consistently with indigestion. Moreover, CMA is one of the most common food allergies in early life.

14. Data on food allergy prevalence states that formula-fed infants are at higher risk of developing a milk allergy.

(RCHSD

Namely, food facts for kids prove that formula-fed infants have a higher risk of developing a milk allergy than those who are breastfed. While researchers don’t really understand why some develop milk allergies and others don’t, it is thought that allergy is genetic in many cases. 

15. The chances of immunotherapy treatment boosting tolerance to an allergen are 30%. 

(Wiley Online Library)

A study examined people suffering mainly from peanut and probiotic allergies. Its results point to a high prevalence of unresponsiveness to the therapy in children (up to 82%). All in all, the chances that your allergy symptoms will improve after undergoing oral immunotherapy to enhance allergen tolerance aren’t that great. 

Other Noteworthy Allergy Facts 

Constant exposure to natural rubber latex may cause a person to develop new allergies. Moreover, you might not know that you can also be allergic to drinking green tea or that there are five insects whose stings or bites may cause allergic reactions, and they are hornets, wasps, fire ants, honey bees, and yellow jackets. Read on for more.

The Top 10 Least Challenging Places to Live With Seasonal Allergies

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16. According to allergy statistics by state, Pennsylvania and Virginia are the worst states for allergies.

(AAFA)

Researchers ranked cities based on fall and spring pollen scores, as well as the number of used over-the-counter allergy medications and the availability of board-certified allergists. All factors included, Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Richmond, Virginia, were cited as the most challenging places to live in with seasonal allergies. On the other hand, the best states for allergies, or the least challenging ones, are Washington (Seattle) and North Carolina (Durham).

17. Facts about allergies remark that allergies are primarily classified as indoor and outdoor.

(Everyday Health)

Allergies to substances found indoors mainly cause the same symptoms as reactions to outdoor allergens, including itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and scratchy throat. Besides, indoor allergens include pets, cockroaches, dust mites, and mice. On the other hand, outdoor allergies include allergies to trees, grass, and weed pollens. 

18. Allergies fun facts imply that you can even be allergic to exercise.

(The Healthy

As silly as it sounds, some people do experience this. But keep in mind, this is generally classified as a food allergy because it has to do with what you ingest before your workout. However, unlike real food allergies, any respiratory and skin symptoms will manifest only after your body has started to heat up from exercising and physical activity.

19. As for more uncommon allergies, facts reveal that some people are allergic to water.

(The Healthy

This extremely rare condition is called aquagenic urticaria. People who are allergic to water will break out in itchy hives all of a sudden—usually after jumping into a pool or lake, or simply having a shower, based on allergy facts. However, researchers don’t really have a clear explanation of what triggers this, but it’s believed that some specific substances present in the water are to blame.

20. Another of our fun facts about allergies points out the benefits of having your kid around many pets.

(Filtrete

A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association states that children raised with two or more pets during their earliest years are less likely to develop allergies. So, apart from filling your home with joy, your dog may be simultaneously improving your kid’s immune system.

21. You can also be allergic to cell phones. 

(The Healthy

Even though it sounds like a trick to get you to spend less time online, it is true. Interesting facts about allergies point out that electronics containing metals such as nickel may cause contact dermatitis, which is a skin condition. In a nutshell, it is characterized by a rash or swollen and itchy skin after you touch something you are allergic or sensitive to. N 

22. Pollen allergy statistics warn us that pollen seasons are getting longer.

(ABC7)

These allergies now kick off 20 days earlier and last for ten more days. What’s more, each season brings 21% more pollen than the one before, seasonal allergies statistics reveal. Researchers have also found that as climate change causes the rise of average temperatures, plants produce more pollen for longer periods. 

23. Many people mistake season allergy symptoms for those of COVID-19.

(WebMD)

These two conditions do have similar symptoms. However, there are differences between them, which will help you differentiate one from the other. For instance, allergies facts emphasize that seasonal allergies cause dry and tickly cough, congestion, runny nose, and watery and itchy eyes. Then again, signs of the coronavirus are dry cough, headaches or migraines, fever or chills, trouble breathing, body and muscle aches, fatigue, loss of smell or taste, congestion or runny nose, pinkeye, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. 

24. If you’ve had a severe or an immediate allergic reaction to an ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you shouldn’t get either of the currently available mRNA vaccines.

(CDC)

Allergy facts note that an immediate allergic reaction occurs within the first four hours after vaccination, and it can include symptoms like hives, wheezing (respiratory distress), and swelling. In addition, if you’ve had your first vaccine and you had an allergic reaction to it, ask your doctor if you can take another type of COVID-19 vaccine for your second dose. 

25. One in 90,000 people might experience a life-threatening allergic reaction from the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

(National Geographic)

The statistic above is based on the data from people who’ve received the first of the two vaccine doses. Astoundingly, it is less than 3% of the lifetime risk of dying from choking on food. All in all, allergy facts verify that serious allergic reactions to this vaccine, like the risk of anaphylaxis, are rare. 

Conclusion

While allergies are usually manageable conditions, the risk of anaphylaxis is something to always keep in mind, especially if you’ve been confirmed to have any sort of food allergy. All in all, keeping in mind the allergy statistics you’ve read, educating yourself on how to react in case of an emergency, and reducing the chances of further complications is the best you can do. 

FAQs

What are the 10 most common allergies?

The top 10 include allergies to gluten, crustacean, eggs, peanut, milk, pets, pollen, dust mite, mold, and sulfite. A point often overlooked is that allergies can lead to chronic illnesses, which affect our quality of life to a great degree.

What is the most common allergy?

Although there is no one most common allergy, pollen allergy often comes into the picture. Some of its symptoms include scratchy throat, nasal congestion, cough, sinus pressure, runny nose, decreased sense of smell or taste, and itchy, watery eyes. 

To minimize your pollen exposure, you can stay indoors on windy and dry days, wear a dust mask or close your doors and windows when the pollen count is high, and let other people take care of your gardening during peak seasons.

How many people die from allergies each year?

Five Americans die each day from the most serious type of allergic reaction—anaphylactic (this stat includes anaphylaxis caused by all possible allergens, like medicines, food, insect stings, etc.). It’s also estimated that the number of yearly emergency room visits due to anaphylaxis stands at tens of thousands.

How do I get rid of sinus allergies permanently?

There are a few treatments for chronic sinusitis. One of them is nasal corticosteroids, which are nasal sprays that help prevent and treat inflammation. Another one is saline nasal irrigation, which decreases drainage and gets rid of irritants and allergies with the help of nasal sprays or solutions. 

Also, there are oral or injected corticosteroids—medications to relieve inflammation from severe sinusitis, particularly if you have nasal polyps too. Finally, if you have reactions to aspirin causing sinusitis, you can use aspirin desensitization treatment, which includes medical supervision and gradually taking larger doses of aspirin to increase your tolerance.

Why do so many people have peanut allergies?

One of the reasons peanuts cause so many people allergies is that peanuts contain proteins, which aren’t found in other foods. Peanut allergy facts disclose that that’s the reason why they trigger such violent and life-threatening reactions. In fact, peanuts can cause the throat to swell or even close. Thankfully, about 20% of children outgrow peanuts allergies. 

Is there any permanent cure for allergies?

No, there isn’t. However, the symptoms are highly treatable, controllable, and sometimes even preventable. If you’re allergic to pollen, try to stay inside when the pollen count is high, and wrap your mattresses in a cover that protects them from dust mites. Also, allergy medicines or essential oils can help

What percentage of the population has a latex allergy?

Latex allergy is quite rare. It affects 1%–6% of the general population, and it is more common in medical or dental health field employees. As a matter of fact, 10%–17% of healthcare workers and around 33.8% of dental care workers have a latex allergy. Moreover, allergy statistics imply that 17% of restaurant employees are diagnosed with this allergy. 

List of Sources:

Table of Contents
Critical Allergy Statistics for 2024 Essential Allergy Statistics Food Allergy Statistics Other Noteworthy Allergy Facts  Conclusion
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