10 Common Allergy Triggers

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, over 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year. With allergy symptoms ranging anywhere from a stuffy nose to life-threatening conditions, it’s crucial for allergy suffers to know and understand their triggers.

Allergies occur when your immune system encounters something that it thinks is a threat but isn’t. These “threats” are known as allergy triggers, with plant pollen and dust being the most common examples. Some of the most common allergy triggers include:

• Pollen
• Animals
• Nuts
• Dairy
• Dust and Dust Mites
• Insect Stings
• Cockroaches
• Mold
• Medications
• Latex

While allergy symptoms can vary widely between triggers and individuals, most are accompanied by some sort of respiratory response. Plant pollen and animal dander, for example, often cause stuffy noses and watery eyes in most people with allergies. However, some allergy sufferers have it much worse, with certain allergies (such as tree nuts) sometimes causing anaphylaxis, a life-threatening form of shock.

Thankfully, almost every allergy is treatable through over-the-counter medication, medical therapies, and simply avoiding the allergen. Allergy sufferers are often encouraged to have their doctor test them for certain allergy triggers.

Check out this handy infographic to learn more about the most common allergy triggers, as well as their symptoms and treatments. If you are experiencing these systems and need treatment, you can visit our allergy and immunology page to find the location nearest you and schedule an appointment with one of our world-class providers through our website.