Asthma and allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), food allergy, and atopic dermatitis (eczema), are common for all age groups in the United States. For example, asthma affects more than 17 million adults and more than 7 million children. Hay fever, respiratory allergies, and other allergies affect approximately 10 percent of children under 18 years old. In addition, food allergy affects an estimated 5 percent of children under 5 years old and 4 percent of children ages 5 to 17 years old and adults.
Understanding Allergic Diseases
Here is NIAID information about some common allergic diseases:
Research
Features
Research Feature: NIAID Clinical Studies Offer Relief for Asthma Sufferers
Featured Study: You could be part of an investigational treatment for idiopathic anaphylaxis. Volunteer for an NIAID clinical study.
NIAID Training Opportunity: Allergy and Immunology Training Program for physicians well grounded in clinical internal medicine or pediatrics
News and Events
NIH Scientists Find Cause of Rare Immune Disease—Jan. 11, 2012
TIPSHEET: 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology—March 21, 2011
NIH-Sponsored Panel Issues Comprehensive U.S. Food Allergy Guidelines—Dec. 6, 2010
All Allergic Diseases News Releases
News from NIAID-Supported Institutions
Last Updated January 11, 2012
Last Reviewed August 06, 2010