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Allergy statistics 2025

More than one-third of U.S. adults have some type of allergy. Use updated allergy statistics to learn more about the most common allergies and who is affected.
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By and | Updated on Oct. 3, 2025 Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD
Map of America with charts and graphs: Allergy statistics
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Have you ever developed a rash after a walk in the woods? Or felt your eyes get itchy and watery as soon as you stepped outside on a beautiful spring day? Or maybe you’ve taken a trip to urgent care after feeling short of breath after eating shellfish or a tree nut. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you already know what’s going on: You’re one of the millions of people worldwide with allergies.

What are allergies?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) defines allergies as an immune system reaction to a foreign substance known as an allergen. A reaction can occur after an allergen is ingested, inhaled, injected, or even touched. The reaction may include coughing, sneezing, hives, or an itchy, runny nose and eyes (known as allergic rhinitis). In severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, a person can develop low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, skin rash, or shock. If not treated immediately, it could even result in death. 

How common are allergies?

Allergies are very common. Nearly one-third of U.S. adults have a diagnosed allergy, according to a recent National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data brief—and it’s common that more people with allergies don’t seek a formal diagnosis. Our SingleCare survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that 59% of respondents report some type of allergy. Childhood food allergies are also very common.

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Allergy statistics by type

Food allergy statistics

  • Food allergies affect approximately 32 million Americans. (Intramural Research Program (IRP), 2023)
  • Food allergy prevalence in the United States has increased by 50% since the 1990s. (IRP, 2023)
  • The nine most common food allergies in the United States are milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. (Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2024)
  • In the United States, 6.2% of adults have a food allergy compared to 5.8% of children. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2023)
  • In adults, shellfish is the most common food allergen. (The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2021)
  • In children, peanuts are the most common food allergen. (The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2021)

Seasonal allergy, or hayfever, statistics

  • Approximately 25.7% of U.S. adults have seasonal allergies. (CDC, 2023)
  • Approximately 18.9% of U.S. children have seasonal allergies. (CDC, 2023)
  • Nearly 30% of women have a seasonal allergy compared to about 21% of men. (NCHS, 2023)
  • American non-Hispanic White adults (28.4%) are more likely to have a seasonal allergy than any other race or origin. (NCHS, 2023)

Insect allergy statistics

  • Stinging insects (e.g., bees, wasps, and fire ants), biting insects (e.g., mosquitos, bedbugs, and fleas), and household pests (e.g., cockroaches and mites) can all cause allergic reactions. (AAFA, 2015)
  • About 3% of adults experience systemic reactions to insect stings. (Middleton’s Allergy Essentials, 2017)
  • Up to 50% of people who experience a fatal reaction to an insect bite had no known history of an insect allergy. (American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 2025)

Skin allergy statistics

  • One in five people have allergic contact dermatitis. (JAMA Dermatology, 2021)
  • In the United States, 7.3% of adults and 10.8% of children have allergic eczema. (CDC, 2023)
  • About 8.9% of women and 5.7% of men have eczema. (NCHS, 2023)
  • In 2019, there were 229,000 emergency department visits due to contact dermatitis or other eczema. (CDC, 2023)

Drug allergy statistics

  • Although 10% of U.S. patients report having a penicillin allergy, less than 1% are actually allergic. (CDC, 2024)
  • About 7% of U.S. adults report having an allergy to aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs. (Statista, 2021)
  • Up to 20% of emergency room visits for anaphylaxis are caused by a drug allergy. (Allergy, 2023)

Latex allergy statistics

  • Latex allergies affect less than 1% of the general population. 
  • Latex allergies affect 8–12% of healthcare workers. 
  • Powdered latex gloves have been banned by the FDA.

Source: American Dental Association, 2023

Allergy statistics by age group

  • 1 in 13 U.S. children have a food allergy. (IRP, 2023)
  • In the United States, adults (25.7%) are more likely than children (25.7%) to experience seasonal allergies.
  • In the United States, children (10.8%) are more likely than adults (7.3%) to experience eczema.
  • Almost half (48%) of adults with a food allergy developed the allergy as an adult (JAMA, 2019).

Allergy statistics in males vs. females

  • More adult females (7.8%) than males (4.6%) have a food allergy. (NCHS 2023)
  • More adult females (8.9%) than males (5.7%) have eczema. (NCHS 2023)
  • More adult females (29.9%) than males (21.2%) have a seasonal allergy. (NCHS 2023)
  • More females (26%) than males (17%) reported that allergies had triggered other health conditions. (SingleCare, 2021)
  • More females (17%) than males (9%) reported that allergy symptoms are painful. (SingleCare, 2021)

Allergies and overall health

Allergies can be a great burden on the affected individual. A person with a severe peanut allergy may experience anxiety in unknown environments, and for people with seasonal allergies, vacations to locations with high pollen counts can be anything but relaxing.

SingleCare’s survey found that 82% of respondents with allergies reported that these allergies affect their quality of life. Of the survey respondents with allergies:

  • 69% reported comorbidities (co-occurring health conditions like hypertension or diabetes).
  • 41% reported their allergies prevented them from getting a good night’s sleep.
  • 41% reported their allergies have affected their mood and overall happiness.
  • 34% reported that they often stay indoors to avoid outdoor allergens.
  • 14% reported a hospitalization due to an allergic reaction.
  • 14% have experienced anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction).

(SingleCare, 2021)

The cost of allergies

Many common allergy medications are available as inexpensive, generic versions. Unfortunately, the most important of all allergy medications—epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen)—can be expensive without insurance or coupons. As of 2025, Epipen costs $812 for a two-pack without insurance.

  • 61% of patients spend less than $300 per year on allergy treatments. (SingleCare, 2021)
  • The price of epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) rose by 500% between 2009 and 2016. (Seven Pillars Institute, 2017)
  • Allergy shots typically cost $1,000–$4,000 per year. (Cleveland Clinic, 2023)

RELATED: EpiPen alternatives

Causes of allergies

Both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of allergies, according to the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus. People with allergies have an immune system that is overly sensitive, and this overactive immune response can be present at birth or develop over time. 

Allergy prevention

There is some evidence that exclusively breastfed newborns and children who are exposed to environmental allergens (e.g., dust mites and pet dander) before 12 months of age may be protected from certain allergies, according to MedlinePlus. However, not all allergies are preventable.

Once someone has an allergy, the best way to prevent allergic reactions is to avoid known triggers. 

Treating allergies

Aside from avoiding known allergens and triggers, you can use medication to relieve allergy symptoms or lessen the severity of an allergic reaction. 

According to our SingleCare survey, 78% of survey takers with allergies reported taking allergy medicine. Of those:

This is not an all-inclusive list of allergy medications. It’s important for patients to consult a healthcare provider to determine the best individualized allergy treatment. People with multiple or severe allergies might need allergy shots or an epinephrine auto-injector.

Allergy questions and answers

What percentage of the population has allergies?

One-third of American adults have allergies. Both children and adults can develop and suffer from allergies of all types. Women have a slightly higher prevalence overall than men. 

How common are severe allergies?

Approximately 0.3% to 5.1% of the world population has experienced or will experience the most severe type of allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, in their lifetime, according to the World Allergy Organization Journal. 

What is the most common allergy in the world?

Allergies, in general, are very common, but specific allergies vary from country to country due to different exposures. For instance, seasonal allergies are less common in places with dry climates, while recorded food allergy prevalence can vary depending on the local diet. Pollen, foods, medications, and insect bites are some of the more common allergies worldwide.

Do allergies shorten your life-span?

There is no evidence showing that allergies impact life-span. However, unmanaged anaphylactic reactions are life-threatening and, in the most severe cases, can result in death. 

Can allergies get worse with age?

In some cases, allergies can get worse with age. In other cases, children outgrow certain food allergies.