A nationwide health survey shows that 54% of Americans aged 6 to 59 had a positive skin allergy test to at least one of 10 common allergy triggers, known as allergens. A positive skinallergy test is a major risk factor for allergic diseases, including asthma, hay fever, and eczema.
Researchers say the rates of allergies to common triggers found in this survey, which was conducted from 1988 to 1994, were two to five times higher than those found in the previous survey in 1976-1980.
They say the results are consistent with other studies that suggest that the number of people with allergies in the U.S. is on the rise.
America: An Allergic Nation?
In the study, researchers analyzed data on skin allergy tests from more than 30,000 Americans aged 6 to 59.
Participants were tested for allergies to 10 common allergens using a skin prick test. Results showed that 54% had a positive skin allergy test to at least one allergen.
The most common reactions were to dust mites, rye grass, ragweed, and cockroaches. Based on these results, researchers estimate that more than 25% of Americans are sensitive to one or more of these four allergens.
The researchers tested for the following allergy triggers:
- Dust mites
- Cockroaches
- Cats
- Rye
- Ragweed
- Bermuda grass
- Russian thistle
- White oak
- The fungus Alternaria alternate
- Peanuts
Other findings of the study include:
- People who had a positive skin allergy test to one allergen had allergies to an average of three to five allergens in total.
- The least common reactions were to peanut, which accounted for 9% of positive skin allergy tests.
- Men were more likely than women to test positive for allergies.
The results of the study appear in the August issue of the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology.