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You are not alone. More than 106 million people in the U.S. experience allergies each year, about 1 in 3 people, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). And many people have more than one.
But knowing the statistics is only half the picture. What matters is recognizing whether you or someone in your family has one of these conditions, and knowing what you can actually do about it.
Here are the 10 most common allergies, who they affect, what symptoms they cause, and where to start if you think you have one.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you suspect you have an allergy, consult a qualified allergist or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
1. Pollen Allergies (Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis)
Pollen allergies, also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are the most common allergic condition in the United States. In 2024, more than 82 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis, including about 25% of adults and 21% of children, according to AAFA.
Common symptoms: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, itchy throat or ears, and fatigue. Symptoms are typically worst in spring (tree pollen), summer (grass pollen), and fall (weed pollen).
What helps: Keep windows closed on high pollen days. Shower and change clothes when you come inside after being outdoors. Run a true HEPA air purifier indoors. Check daily pollen counts before planning outdoor activities.
→ How do you know if you are allergic to pollen?
2. Dust Mite Allergies
Dust mite allergy affects about 20 million people in the U.S., according to AAFA, and dust mites are one of the most common causes of year-round allergy symptoms. Dust mites are microscopic arachnids that live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, and upholstered furniture, where they feed on shed skin. It isn't the mite itself that triggers reactions, but proteins in its droppings and body fragments.
Common symptoms: Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and worsening asthma, often worst in the morning after a night in an allergen-filled bed.
What helps: Zippered allergen-proof encasements for your mattress, box spring, and pillows are the most recommended environmental control step, identified as such by the AAAAI and ACAAI Joint Practice Parameter on dust mite exposure control. Wash bedding weekly. Keep indoor humidity between 35% and 50%. Run a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom.
→ How to get rid of dust mites: 6 highly effective methods
→ Shop allergen-proof mattress covers
3. Pet Allergies
Pet allergies are common. According to AAFA, up to 3 in 10 people with allergies react to cats and dogs. The allergen isn't fur. It's proteins found in pet skin flakes, saliva, and urine. For cats, the main culprit is a protein called Fel d 1. Every cat and dog produces these proteins, which is why truly hypoallergenic pets don't exist.
Common symptoms: Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rash or hives after touching the animal, and worsening asthma. Symptoms can appear even in homes where no pet currently lives, because pet allergens can linger on surfaces for months.
What helps: Keep pets out of the bedroom. Wipe your pet down several times a week with Allerpet for dogs or cats to reduce allergens on the coat. Treat upholstery with ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray and carpets with X-Mite Carpet Powder. Run a HEPA air purifier in rooms where pets spend time.
→ What is pet dander and how do you get rid of it?
→ Cat dander allergy relief: how to live with cats when you're allergic
4. Mold Allergies
Mold releases microscopic spores into the air, both outdoors in decaying vegetation and indoors wherever moisture is present. Outdoor mold counts rise during wet seasons, and indoor mold can cause symptoms all year.
Common symptoms: Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and worsening asthma. Symptoms often spike in damp weather, after rain, or in older buildings. Year-round symptoms that don't improve in winter may point to indoor mold.
What helps: Keep indoor humidity below 50%, since mold needs moisture to grow. Fix leaks promptly. Run a HEPA air purifier. Check basements, bathrooms, and HVAC systems regularly for visible growth.
→ Mold spores in the home: where they hide and how they spread
→ How humidity affects dust mites and mold growth
5. Food Allergies
Nearly 22 million people in the U.S. have food allergies, about 18 million adults and 4 million children, according to AAFA's analysis of 2024 CDC data. Nine foods cause most reactions: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and sesame. Milk is the most common food allergen in children, and shellfish is the most common in adults. Reactions range from mild (hives, stomach upset) to severe and life-threatening (anaphylaxis).
Common symptoms: Hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis.
What helps: Strict avoidance of the trigger food is the main management strategy. Anyone at risk of a severe reaction should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times. Read ingredient labels carefully, because food allergens show up in unexpected places.
6. Insect Sting Allergies
Insect sting allergies affect about 3 in 100 people in the U.S., according to AAFA. The most common culprits are bees, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and fire ants. For most people, a sting causes local pain and swelling. For people with a venom allergy, the reaction can spread through the body and become life-threatening.
Common symptoms: Beyond the expected pain and swelling at the sting site, allergic reactions include hives, swelling away from the sting, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and anaphylaxis.
What helps: Anyone who has had a reaction beyond the sting site should see an allergist. Venom immunotherapy (allergy shots) is highly effective and can significantly reduce the risk of future severe reactions. Anyone with a known venom allergy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector.
7. Contact Dermatitis (Chemical and Material Allergies)
Contact allergies affect about 20 in 100 people, according to AAFA. Contact dermatitis happens when skin touches a substance that either irritates it (irritant contact dermatitis) or triggers a delayed immune reaction (allergic contact dermatitis). Common triggers include poison ivy and similar plants, nickel and other metals, fragrances, preservatives in cosmetics and cleaning products, latex, and hair dyes.
Common symptoms: Red, itchy, inflamed skin. Allergic contact dermatitis often appears a day or more after contact, which is why it's so easy to misdiagnose: the rash shows up long after the exposure that caused it.
What helps: Identifying the trigger through patch testing is the first step. Switching to fragrance-free and dye-free personal care and laundry products removes two of the most common triggers.
→ The mystery of contact dermatitis: why patch testing is different
8. Latex Allergies
About 4 in 100 people have a latex allergy, according to AAFA, and rates are much higher, around 10 in 100, among healthcare workers. People who have had multiple surgeries are also at higher risk. Latex proteins can trigger reactions through skin contact or by breathing in latex particles, such as powder from latex gloves.
Common symptoms: Skin irritation, hives, runny nose, and in severe cases anaphylaxis. Latex allergy can also cross-react with certain foods, including bananas, avocados, kiwi, and chestnuts, which contain proteins similar to latex.
What helps: Avoid latex products. Tell every healthcare provider and dentist about your allergy before any procedure. Choose latex-free gloves, bandages, and medical supplies.
9. Medication Allergies
Penicillin is the most commonly reported drug allergy: up to 10 in 100 people say they're allergic to it. But when they're evaluated, fewer than 1 in 100 people overall turn out to be truly allergic, according to AAFA. Other common triggers include other antibiotics, aspirin and NSAIDs, and certain chemotherapy drugs. A true drug allergy (an immune reaction) is different from a side effect or intolerance, and the difference matters for treatment decisions.
Common symptoms: Hives, rash, fever, swelling, shortness of breath, and in severe cases anaphylaxis. Reactions usually appear within hours of taking the medication, though some are delayed.
What helps: Tell all healthcare providers and pharmacists about any medication allergy. Wear a medical alert bracelet if you've had a severe reaction. If you've been labeled allergic to penicillin, ask an allergist about testing, since many people can safely take it again.
10. Sun Sensitivity (Photosensitivity)
Some people react to sunlight in ways that go beyond a normal sunburn. The most common form is polymorphic light eruption, an itchy rash that appears after sun exposure, often in spring or early summer. A less common form, photoallergy, is an immune reaction triggered when sunlight interacts with a chemical on the skin or in the body, such as certain sunscreen ingredients, fragrances, or medications.
Common symptoms: Itchy rash, bumps, hives, or blisters on sun-exposed skin, often appearing hours after exposure rather than immediately. In photoallergy, the rash can spread beyond the sun-exposed areas.
What helps: Wear broad-spectrum sun protection and protective clothing. If a chemical trigger is suspected, identify and avoid it. A dermatologist can perform photopatch testing to find the specific cause.
Have More Than One? You're Not Alone
Many people with allergies have more than one allergy, and there's a reason for that. The tendency to develop allergies, called atopy, often runs in families and can show up as hay fever, eczema, asthma, and food allergies in the same person. The management principles overlap, and the most effective approach addresses your triggers together rather than one at a time.
For the allergens in your home, including dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen, the most useful resource we have is our free guide to allergy-free living. It covers the complete strategy for reducing indoor allergen exposure, from bedroom encasements to air filtration to laundry practices, built on helping people manage exactly these conditions since 1989.
Read the Practical Guide to Allergy-Free Living →
Not sure where to start? Call us at (800) 771-2246. We've been helping people navigate this since 1989.
About the Author
The Allergy Store is a family-owned and operated business founded in 1989 that specializes in non-drug solutions for allergies and asthma. With decades of hands-on experience, and firsthand experience living with allergies, the team focuses on education, allergen control, and improving indoor environments. Every product recommended is carefully researched, tested, and used in their own homes and offices to help individuals and families breathe easier and live more comfortably.
Sources
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) — Allergy Facts, Figures, and Stats (updated April 2026)
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) — Pet Allergies
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) — Allergy Facts and Stats
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) — Medications and Drug Allergic Reactions
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) — Allergens