Did you know that 30% of American adults have an allergy? An allergy to peanuts, soy, and dairy—we hear people talking about these all the time. However, what is an allergy? Put simply, it’s a hypersensitive response coming from the body when the immune system encounters a certain substance.
We gathered these alarming allergy statistics to help you understand how dangerous allergies can be for some people and how common they are all around the world. We will be covering food allergies, seasonal allergies, and allergies to animals, as well as other interesting stats and facts we believe you should know about. Stay tuned.
Top 10 Allergy Statistics for 2024
- 40% of kids and 30% of adults have allergies in the US.
- Asthma and allergies typically co-occur.
- About 339 million individuals suffer from asthma.
- Urban areas contribute to 64% of asthma cases.
- 80% of asthmatics claim that their symptoms were triggered by hay fever.
- According to peanut allergy statistics, 1.8 million children are affected by peanut allergies in the United States.
- Food allergies affect around 2.5% of the global population.
- Around 50% of anaphylaxis reactions are caused by food allergies.
- In the US, 30% of people with allergies are allergic to dogs and cats.
- Globally, 10%–20% of people are allergic to dogs and cats.
Global Statistics and Facts on Allergies and Asthma
In this section, you’ll learn about allergy prevalence in the US and worldwide. Plus, we found some important facts and stats about asthma.
1. 40% of kids and 30% of adults have allergies in the US.
(WebMD)
In total, according to allergy rates by country, there are over 50 million people in the US who are afflicted by allergies each year. Not only that, but allergies are considered the sixth most dangerous chronic disease in America.
2. Vitamin D can greatly reduce the chances of developing allergies.
(Premier Allergy & Asthma)
According to the allergy facts, Vitamin D is able to effectively relieve the body of allergy symptoms, such as hives. In fact, a Journal of Pediatrics study revealed that a vitamin D deficiency in infants is linked with eczema and allergies.
The best way to get enough vitamin D is by spending time in the sun, but consuming seafood and fatty fish, taking supplements, and including egg yolks in your diet work wonders as well.
3. Asthma and allergies typically co-occur, according to the allergy stats.
(Mayo Clinic)
In some cases, the triggers for the two are the same, including pollen, hay fever, pet dander, and dust, allergy statistics show. In others, an allergic reaction may, in fact, cause asthma—usually as a food-induced or skin reaction.
4. About 339 million individuals suffer from asthma.
(Research Matters)
Not only that, but asthma results in around 1,150 deaths each day. In India, there are around 350,000 brand-new cases of asthma among children each year. The leading cause of this lung-related illness is polluted air containing high levels of nitrogen oxide. The highest burden of new asthma incidences caused by nitrogen dioxide is evident in Peru (in Lima), with 690 new cases yearly per 100,000 kids.
5. Allergy statistics on asthma reveal that urban areas contribute to 64% of asthma cases.
(Research Matters)
Furthermore, the global rates of asthma were shown to be the highest among children aged 1–4. The lowest rates of childhood asthma were observed in four Indian cities, Kanpur, Kolkata, Varanasi, and Lucknow, as well as Orlu in Nigeria. On the flip side, the highest national burden of lung-related disease was observed in Kuwait, with 550 cases per 100,000 children, followed by Canada, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
6. Mississippi is the worst US state to live in if you have allergies.
(Healthline)
Allergy statistics by state show that Mississippi is the last place people with allergies should want to live in the United States. In second place is Tennessee and in third place is New York. This is due to the high pollen count that will likely spark people’s allergies.
Seasonal Allergy Statistics
Seasonal allergy is also known as hay fever. It most commonly occurs in spring since it’s usually caused by pollen.
7. Between 10% and 30% of the world’s population suffers from allergic rhinitis.
(AAAAI)
Allergic rhinitis, more popularly known as hay fever, is accompanied by symptoms such as sneezing and itchy, swollen, or watery eyes, as well as a stuffy or a runny nose. In the US, white children are more likely to suffer from allergic rhinitis (10%) than black children (7%).
8. Hay fever is more common in the spring, according to pollen allergy statistics.
(Medical News Today)
In the spring, people with sensitivities are more likely to develop symptoms after inhaling tree, grass, and weed pollens, as well as mold spores. The most common methods of allergy treatment include decreasing exposure to allergens, receiving allergy shots, and taking medication.
9. 80% of asthmatics claim that their symptoms were triggered by hay fever.
(First Aid for Life)
Allergic rhinitis can cause an asthmatic’s inflamed airways to swell up even more, making it even harder to breathe. Nonetheless, there are many different triggers for asthma attacks, including respiratory infections, strong odors, stress, and strong emotions, as well as pollutants. Asthma can also be triggered by external factors like mold, which is present in about 70% of homes.
Food Allergy Statistics
In this section, we’ll be focusing on the different types of food allergies.
10. Egg, wheat, fish, milk, and nuts are the most common food allergies.
(WAO)
Facts on the prevalence of global food allergies reveal that 2.5% of newborn babies are diagnosed with being sensitive to dairy. Within the EuroPrevall birth grade, the percentage of egg allergies is adjusted to 1.23%.
However, according to a study by Australian Healthnuts, the prevalence of allergies to eggs is 9%. People with food allergies need to be aware of all the ingredients in all their food, including any meal delivery arrangements they make.
11. Global nut allergy statistics reveal that the prevalence of peanut allergies in kids in Australia is as high as 3%.
(WAO, ACAAI)
Unfortunately, the prevalence of allergies to peanuts has doubled in Australia, North America, and the United Kingdom. In North America, 1.4% of children are allergic to peanuts, while in the United Kingdom, the figure is 1.8%. The symptoms of a peanut allergy can range from mild to deadly, and they may include throat swelling, pale skin, trouble breathing, and fainting.
12. 1.8 million children are affected by peanut allergies in the United States, according to peanut allergy facts.
(Business Insider)
In fact, the number of American kids with an allergy to peanuts has tripled in more recent years. However, research reveals that 3.2% of children who ate snacks containing peanuts since infancy developed an allergy.
Comparatively, 17% of kids who had never eaten nuts before the age of 5 developed an allergy to at least one type of nut. In other words, children who ate nuts and peanuts regularly were six times less likely to develop a nut allergy than kids who had never consumed them.
13. What percent of the world has food allergies? Food allergies affect around 2.5% of the global population.
(WAO)
However, the prevalence could be as high as 10%, according to allergy statistics worldwide leading up to 2022. It’s challenging to precisely determine the prevalence of food allergies, as there are numerous factors that may affect the reported data. For instance, these factors include geographic variations, study methodologies, dietary exposure, and age.
14. Among infants with food allergies, around 80% will develop a tolerance by the age of 5.
(WAO)
Food allergy statistics worldwide reveal that another 35% of these infants will eventually become hypersensitive to certain foods. Epidemiological studies show that infants who are less likely to overgrow their allergy to certain foods are the ones with the most serious symptoms, such as asthma and anaphylaxis.
15. In fact, around 50% of anaphylaxis reactions are caused by food allergies.
(WAO, NCBI)
Anaphylaxis is an extremely dangerous systemic reaction that typically occurs within a couple of minutes or hours after the person ingested the food. An American study revealed that the total incidence of anaphylaxis in the States was 42 per 100,000 persons yearly.
16. In the UK, food allergy death statistics reveal that the incidence of children under 16 dying from a food allergic reaction is around 1 in 800,000 per year.
(BMJ Journals)
Findings on children with food allergies reveal that there is a small risk of death due to fatal reactions. Allergy statistics in the UK show that there are 13 million kids in the United Kingdom under the age of 16, out of which only eight died within a 10-year span due to food allergies. Four of the fatalities were caused by milk allergies.
17. According to the gluten allergy statistics, 6%–7% of the population in the United States is sensitive to gluten.
(VeryWellHealth)
Director of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research, Dr. Fasano, claims that the portion of people affected by gluten sensitivity is much higher than that of individuals with celiac disease. Overall, there are around 20 million Americans who are sensitive to gluten. The most common symptoms of gluten sensitivity include headaches, eczema, brain fog, digestive problems, and fatigue.
18. Between 60% and 65% of people with irritable bowel syndrome and chronic headaches test positive for gluten sensitivity.
(VeryWellHealth)
According to the food allergy facts by the founder of Enterolab, Dr. Kenneth Fine, 10%–15% of American citizens have blood antibodies to gluten. Furthermore, Enterolab testing results reveal that 20%–25% of individuals are diagnosed with gluten sensitivity but don’t display any symptoms.
19. Allergy percentages today show 30%–40% of people with allergies to pollen are also sensitive to celery.
(VeryWellHealth)
Celery is an extremely healthy vegetable full of vitamins and minerals. However, celery is also considered one of the most common allergens due to mugwort pollen and birch pollen cross-reactivity.
20. GMO allergy statistics from 2019 reveal that 94% of soybean crops in America were genetically modified.
(Statista, FoodMatters)
Many are afraid of consuming GMOs from soybeans due to the possible increased levels of a known carcinogen, formaldehyde. Corn and cotton are other crops grown in America that are typically genetically modified. If you still want to consume soybean-derived products, we recommend sticking with all-organic varieties.
Animal and Pet Allergy Statistics
Find out how many people are allergic to cats and dogs. Plus, we found some shocking stats on allergies to insect stings.
21. In the US, 30% of people with allergies are allergic to dogs and cats.
(AAFA)
In fact, the stats show that the people who are allergic to these pets usually have asthma or various other allergies. Not only that, but there are twice as many people allergic to cats as those allergic to dogs.
However, homeowners can’t resist having pooches and kitties to spoil, judging by the fact that the furniture market for pets was worth an estimated $2.21 billion in 2019. If you’re one of them, it’s good to know that there are some cat breeds that produce a smaller amount of Fel d 1, the protein responsible for allergic reactions.
22. Cat allergy facts reveal that around 10% of individuals are allergic to household felines.
(LiveScience)
Among kids aged 6–19, around one in 7 has shown to be allergic to felines. According to some interesting pet ownership stats, there were a shocking 47.1 million households with felines as pets in America in 2018.
23. Globally, 10%–20% of people are allergic to dogs and cats.
(NCBI, JACI)
However, recent cat allergy statistics published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology revealed that a vaccine for cats has been developed that neutralizes the allergens they produce. The vaccine was developed by HypoPet, a Swiss company, and it is claimed to be able to stop the production of the allergen, Fel d 1.
24. There are up to 100 deaths annually in America due to anaphylaxis caused by insect stings.
(ABCNews)
Allergy statistics in the US reveal that around 3.3% of adults experience anaphylaxis after being stung by an insect such as a bee or a mosquito. Furthermore, people who have experienced anaphylaxis after being stung by an insect are 60%–70% more likely to have a similar reaction in the future.
25. Dogs can be allergic to people.
(The Spruce Pets, National Geographic)
According to experts, canines can also be allergic to humans, and the allergies most frequently manifest as skin issues. Not only can canines be allergic to human dander, but they can also react to cat dander.
Conclusion
We sincerely hope that these allergy statistics helped you understand which allergies are the most common, how they impact people, and why it’s important to consult with a medical professional as soon as you notice any allergy symptoms. Above all, make sure to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, as your health is truly worth more than silver or gold.
FAQ
What percentage of the population has allergies?
The latest figures show that allergies are becoming a rising health problem worldwide. In the US, about 30% of adults suffer from allergies. In addition, about 40% of children have allergies in the US.
(WebMD)
Are allergies becoming more common?
Unfortunately, yes, allergies are becoming more and more common. For instance, approximately a third of Australians will become allergic to something throughout the course of their lives. More specifically, one in 20 will become allergic to a certain type of food, and one in 100 will experience anaphylaxis.
Not only that, but the development rate of allergies in kids under the age of five seems to be increasing more rapidly than in adults. Kids will more likely become allergic to dairy, eggs, or products containing nuts, whereas adults have a higher chance of developing seafood allergies.
(ABC, HuffPost)
What is the rarest allergy?
Swimming is one of the most popular activities in America, but not everyone can take a dip in the swimming pool. With only a few known cases globally, one of the rarest allergies out there is a water allergy or aquagenic urticaria.
In fact, contact with any type of water can cause angioedema, a rash, or hives. These allergic reactions are typically described as painful, itchy, and very uncomfortable. Other rare allergies include a semen allergy, sunlight allergy, sweat allergy, deodorant allergy, and vibration allergy, according to allergy statistics.
(Treated)
Sources:
- AAAAI
- AAFA
- ABC
- ABCNews
- ACAAI
- BMJ Journals
- Business Insider
- Clinical Immunology
- First Aid For Life
- FoodMatters
- Healthline
- HuffPost
- Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
- LiveScience
- Mayo Clinic
- Medical News Today
- National Geographic
- NCBI
- NCBI
- Premier Allergy and Asthma
- Research Matters
- Statista
- Statista
- The Spruce Pets
- Treated
- VeryWellHealth
- VeryWellHealth
- WebMD
- World Allergy Organization
