Types Of Allergies

It’s estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from some type of allergy. That’s 1 out of 4. It’s the 5th highest chronic disease in America and the 3rd most common chronic disease in children.

Many people suffer from more than one allergy type.

Pollen from trees, grass and weeds are in the indoor/outdoor allergy category. Other common indoor/outdoor allergy triggers are mold spores, dust mite and cockroach allergen and cat, dog and rodent dander.

About 75% of people with allergies have indoor/outdoor allergies. The most common pet allergy is cat dander.

Skin allergies are another common allergy. The most common causes of skin allergies are plants like poison oak, ivy and sumac.

Allergic reactions can also be caused by skin contact with latex, cockroach and dust mites and even some foods. Skin allergies are the main allergy for about 7% of allergy sufferers.

While we here a lot about food and drug allergies, they’re the primary allergy of only about 6% of allergy sufferers. Food allergies are more common in children.

Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish are responsible for 90% of all food allergies. Food allergies claim over 200 lives yearly. When it comes to common drug allergies, penicillin is the winner.

Almost 400 Americans die every year from allergies to penicillin.

Latex and insect allergies both claim around 4% of allergy sufferers. Latex allergies result in 10 deaths a year and nearly 100 deaths a year are the result of insect allergies.