What are Allergies?
An allergy is a specific reaction to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. Allergic people often are sensitive to more than one substance. Allergens enter the body in one of three ways: Airborne particles such as pollen, dust, and mold spores are breathed in through the nose and mouth; insect venom is injected through the stinger; foods are ingested, or swallowed. Medicines that can cause allergic reactions are injected or ingested.
- An estimated 50 to 60 million Americans - about one of every five adults and children - suffer from allergies, including allergic asthma. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States.
- Allergies have a genetic component. If only one parent has allergies, chances are one in three that each child will have an allergy. If both parents have allergies, it is much more likely (7 in 10) that their children will have allergies.
- Allergies are responsible for 3.4 million lost U.S. work days each year, at a cost of $639 million. An estimated 2 million school days are lost each year due to allergies.
- An estimated 6 to 10 million Americans are allergic to cats.
- An estimated 2 million Americans develop severe allergic reactions to insect stings.
- Food allergies are believed to occur in 8 percent of children younger than 3 years old. Approximately 200 deaths per year are due to food allergy.
- An estimated 42,000 cases of adverse drug reactions are reported annually.
- More than half of all allergy sufferers fail to recognize their symptoms at first, falsely believing they have a cold or the flu.
Allergy Asthma Bronchitis and Immunology Associates, Inc.Fountain Valley
11180 Warner Ave., Suite 255
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Phone: 714-549-9330
Irvine
16300 Sand Canyon, Suite 708
Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: 949-753-9300
