Allergies

Overview

More than 100 million Americans live with allergies — and Black Americans face unique risks, including higher rates of food allergies, more severe reactions, and less access to the care and prescriptions needed to manage them safely. An allergy is your immune system's overreaction to a substance — called an allergen — that is harmless to most people. When your body mistakenly identifies pollen, a food, pet dander, or a medication as a threat, it mounts a defense that can range from mild sneezing to a life-threatening emergency called anaphylaxis. Allergies are among the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, touching people of every age, background, and zip code. Allergic conditions include seasonal allergies (hay fever), food allergies, skin allergies like eczema and hives, drug allergies, insect sting allergies, and allergic asthma. Many people live with more than one type at the same time, and the burden of managing multiple conditions can be exhausting — especially when healthcare access is uneven.

Common Symptoms

• Nasal & eye symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, postnasal drip
• Skin reactions: hives, redness, swelling, rash, or eczema flares within minutes of exposure
• Digestive symptoms: nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating a food allergen
• Respiratory symptoms: wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness
• Anaphylaxis: severe rapid reaction with throat swelling, drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness — call 911 immediately
• Oral allergy syndrome: itching or tingling in the mouth after eating raw fruits or vegetables
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or rapid heartbeat
• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Eczema flare-ups after exposure to triggers

Risk Factors

• Family history of allergies or asthma
• Early childhood eczema or food reactions
• Living in high air-pollution areas
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Chronic stress or immune dysregulation
• Being Black or Hispanic increases food allergy risk
• Having one allergic condition increases risk of developing others
• Urban living with higher allergen loads
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Delayed introduction of allergenic foods in infancy

Impact on the Black Community

Allergies affect everyone, but the burden is not shared equally. Black Americans face higher rates of food allergies, more severe reactions, and significant barriers to the allergy care that could protect them. Research published in JAMA Network Open found that Black individuals report more frequent anaphylaxis and more emergency department visits for allergic reactions than white respondents — even when controlling for other factors. At the same time, Black patients are less likely to carry an epinephrine auto-injector, less likely to be referred to an allergist, and more likely to rely on emergency care rather than proactive allergy management. Environmental factors compound the problem: Black communities are disproportionately located near industrial sites and high-traffic corridors, exposing residents to air pollution that worsens allergic inflammation and drives higher rates of allergic asthma. Approximately 10.6% of Black Americans report food allergies (compared to 9.5% of white Americans), 51% of Black food allergy sufferers are allergic to multiple foods (the highest rate of any group), and food allergy rates among Black Americans are increasing at 2.1% per decade — double the rate for white Americans.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any health concerns.