Health Insurance
Americans Spending 230% More on Allergic Reactions Than in 2000
When treating allergies, your wallet may drain faster than your sinuses.
According to the latest ValuePenguin study, 31.8% of American adults have allergies — whether seasonal, food or eczema. And spending on allergic reactions rose 230% between 2000 and 2021.
In addition to exploring our findings, stick around to learn how you can utilize your health insurance to save on allergy spending.
On this page
Key findings
- 31.8% of American adults have a seasonal or food allergy or eczema. 25.7% have seasonal allergies, making it the most common of the types. Women (29.9%) are more likely than men (21.1%) to have seasonal allergies. Additionally, Americans ages 45 to 64 (27.9%) are the most likely adult age group to have seasonal allergies, while white Americans (28.4%) are the most likely race.
- Americans spent 230% more on allergic reaction treatments in 2021 than in 2000. In 2021, Americans spent $13.4 billion on allergic reactions — up significantly from $4.1 billion in 2000.
- Despite the massive spending increase, prevalence data doesn’t show a dramatic increase in allergic reactions. Though spending more than tripled between 2000 and 2021, there was just a 6.3% increase in the treated prevalence of allergic reactions in that same period.
- According to Google Trends data, the highest search interest for seasonal allergies in the past five years occurred during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Meanwhile, search interest for "allergy" peaked in April 2023.
- Beyond allergies, asthma spending rose 96.9% between 2000 to 2021. In 2000, Americans spent $6.4 billion on asthma, rising to $12.7 billion in 2021. Despite this increase, the prevalence of asthma fell 7.7%.
31.8% of American adults have allergies
Allergies are relatively common among Americans, with 31.8% of adults having one, according to a ValuePenguin analysis of 2021 National Center for Health Statistics (NHCS) data — the latest at the time of research. Among American adults, 25.7% have seasonal allergies, making it the most common type.
% of adult Americans with diagnosed seasonal allergies, eczema or food allergies
Condition | % with allergies |
|---|---|
| Any allergic condition | 31.8% |
| Seasonal allergy | 25.7% |
| Eczema | 7.3% |
| Food allergy | 6.2% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of 2021 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data.
By demographic, women (29.9%) are more likely than men (21.1%) to have seasonal allergies. Also worth noting, Americans ages 45 to 64 are the most likely adult age group to have this type of allergy, at 27.9%. Comparatively, 21.7% of Americans 75 and older have seasonal allergies — the lowest by adult age group. Among the tracked races, white Americans (28.4%) are the most likely to have seasonal allergies, while Asian Americans (17.0%) are the least likely.
ValuePenguin health insurance expert Divya Sangameshwar says uninsured Americans impact these percentages. "Health insurance plays a huge part in the process of testing for, diagnosing and treating allergies," she says. "Americans without proper insurance coverage may suffer from allergies without realizing they need treatment."
% of adult Americans with seasonal allergies (by demographic)
Demographic | % with seasonal allergies |
|---|---|
| Gender | |
| Men | 21.1% |
| Women | 29.9% |
| Age | |
| 18 to 44 | 24.7% |
| 45 to 64 | 27.9% |
| 65 to 74 | 26.4% |
| 75 and older | 21.7% |
| Race and Hispanic origin | |
| Non-Hispanic white | 28.4% |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 24.0% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 17.0% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of 2021 NCHS data.
Following seasonal allergies, eczema comes in at 7.3%. Women (8.9%) are again more likely than men (5.7%) to have the condition. Meanwhile, younger Americans are more likely to struggle with a skin allergy, as adults ages 18 to 44 are the most likely age group to report eczema, at 8.4%. That compares with 5.5% of adults ages 75 and older. By race, Black Americans (8.6%) are the most likely to have eczema.
% of adult Americans with skin allergies (by demographic)
Demographic | % with skin allergies |
|---|---|
| Gender | |
| Men | 5.7% |
| Women | 8.9% |
| Age | |
| 18 to 44 | 8.4% |
| 45 to 64 | 6.5% |
| 65 to 74 | 6.8% |
| 75 and older | 5.5% |
| Race and Hispanic origin | |
| Non-Hispanic white | 7.7% |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 8.6% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 6.5% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of 2021 NCHS data.
Meanwhile, 6.2% have a food allergy. Women (7.8%) are more likely to have a food allergy than men (4.6%). Across other demographics, those ages 45 to 64 (6.7%) and Black Americans (8.5%) are the most likely groups to deal with a food allergy.
% of adult Americans with food allergies (by demographic)
Demographic | % with food allergies |
|---|---|
| Gender | |
| Men | 4.6% |
| Women | 7.8% |
| Age | |
| 18 to 44 | 6.6% |
| 45 to 64 | 6.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 5.1% |
| 75 and older | 4.5% |
| Race and Hispanic origin | |
| Non-Hispanic white | 6.2% |
| Non-Hispanic Black | 8.5% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian | 4.5% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of 2021 NCHS data.
Spending on allergic reactions more than tripled between 2000 and 2021
With a significant chunk of Americans dealing with allergies, it’s worth noting that treating an allergic reaction comes at an increasingly hefty cost. In 2000, Americans spent $4.1 billion on treating allergic reactions, according to a ValuePenguin analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Health Care Satellite Account data. That rose 230.2% to $13.4 billion in 2021.
It’s not just spending on allergic reactions — medical spending in general has been on the rise. According to an earlier ValuePenguin study on health care expenditures, medical spending topped $3 trillion for the first time in 2019.
By year, spending on allergic reactions jumped the most between 2015 and 2016, increasing 11.6% from $9.3 billion to $10.3 billion. The cost of drugs commonly used to treat allergies may play a role here: EpiPen costs ballooned dramatically between 2011 and 2016, seeing a particularly steep increase between 2014 and 2016.
Allergic reactions spending by year
Year | Spending (adjusted for inflation) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | $4.1 billion |
| 2001 | $4.3 billion |
| 2002 | $4.7 billion |
| 2003 | $4.9 billion |
| 2004 | $5.3 billion |
| 2005 | $5.7 billion |
| 2006 | $5.9 billion |
| 2007 | $6.3 billion |
| 2008 | $6.6 billion |
| 2009 | $7.0 billion |
| 2010 | $7.2 billion |
| 2011 | $7.5 billion |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Health Care Satellite Account data.
Across all years analyzed, spending on allergic reactions fell just once — between 2019 and 2020, when spending fell 9.5% from $12.5 billion to $11.3 billion. It’s likely the COVID-19 pandemic played the largest role here. People may have been less likely to seek medical care for non-COVID-19-related health issues due to fear of exposure. Additionally, the COVID-19 lockdown may have limited exposure to allergens by increasing one’s control over environmental factors.
Finally, the emergence of telehealth and the discouragement of in-personal health care visits during the pandemic may have made it more difficult to diagnose and treat new allergies, which may have reduced the cost of treating potential new allergic reactions.
Prevalence of allergic reactions rose just 6.3% in that same period
Spending may be on the rise, but the prevalence of allergic reactions hasn’t jumped nearly as much. According to prevalence data, there was just a 6.3% increase in the treated prevalence of allergic reactions between 2000 and 2021.
According to Sangameshwar, awareness is key in the slower prevalence rate.
"When millions of Americans were able to access health care under the Affordable Care Act, their access to doctors, testing, diagnosis and treatment increased, and — as a result — they were empowered to avoid their allergens or minimize the impact posed by these allergies," she says. "Americans have also become more aware of allergies. This has led to entertainment venues, restaurants, food manufacturers, airlines, schools and employers — among others — making accommodations to ensure the safety of allergy sufferers."
Prevalence data shares some similarities with spending data: The years in which spending on allergic reactions rose and fell the most are also when allergic reaction episodes rose and fell the most. Between 2015 and 2016, the treated prevalence of allergic reactions rose 25.3%, while it fell 14.0% between 2019 and 2020.
Notably, five-year Google Trends data between January 2019 and January 2024 reveals that search interest for seasonal allergies was highest in March 2020 during the week of the 15th.
Across all states, Massachusetts had the highest research interest for seasonal allergies during the five years analyzed. It’s followed closely by fellow Northeastern states Rhode Island and New Hampshire. On the other end of the list, search interest was lowest in Hawaii, Florida and Louisiana.
Meanwhile, "allergy" reached its highest search interest in April 2023.
Asthma spending has risen despite prevalence falling
It’s not just spending on allergies that’s rising — asthma spending is also increasing. In fact, Americans spent 96.9% more on asthma in 2021 than in 2000. By the numbers, spending grew from $6.4 billion to $12.7 billion.
Asthma spending rose the most between 2010 and 2011, increasing 19.4%. Notably, the out-of-pocket price of albuterol inhalers — a common treatment for asthma — increased slightly during this time, according to data analyzed by Statista. Meanwhile, asthma spending fell the most between 2014 and 2015, dropping 6.4%. At the same time, out-of-pocket prices for albuterol slightly declined.
Asthma spending by year
Year | Spending (adjusted for inflation) | % change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | $6.4 billion | N/A |
| 2001 | $7.0 billion | 8.7% |
| 2002 | $7.7 billion | 10.0% |
| 2003 | $8.7 billion | 13.5% |
| 2004 | $9.2 billion | 4.8% |
| 2005 | $10.2 billion | 10.9% |
| 2006 | $9.9 billion | -2.2% |
| 2007 | $9.8 billion | -1.1% |
| 2008 | $10.4 billion | 5.9% |
| 2009 | $10.7 billion | 3.0% |
| 2010 | $10.9 billion | 1.7% |
| 2011 | $13.0 billion | 19.4% |
Source: ValuePenguin analysis of BEA Health Care Satellite Account data.
Meanwhile, the treated prevalence of asthma fell by 7.7% in the same period. Notably, it declined the most between 2019 and 2020, dropping 8.1%. On the other hand, it rose the most — 6.3% — between 2004 and 2005.
Who’s most likely to have asthma? As of 2022, NCHS reports that 8.7% of American adults have asthma. Women (10.8%) are much more likely than men (6.5%) to have asthma. Meanwhile, those ages 18 to 34 (9.7%) are the most likely adult age group to suffer from it. Additionally, biracial Americans identifying as Black or African American and white are the most likely race to have asthma, at 15.0%. That’s followed by American Indians or Alaska Natives (14.7%).
Saving on allergies: Top expert tips
Sangameshwar says health insurance coverage for allergy treatments can vary based on the insurance provider, the symptoms' severity and the treatment type. "The trick is to be prepared before allergy season hits," she says. She offers the following advice:
- Keep it in-network. "If your allergies are severe enough that you see your doctor or a specialist for consultation and testing, take a moment to ensure your providers are in-network," she says. "You can do this by calling your insurer and asking for alternative in-network providers if yours aren’t. The same should apply to prescriptions. If your doctor prescribes you something your insurance doesn’t cover, you can ask for alternatives that’ll be covered to keep your costs low."
- Pad your health savings accounts. "For those who self-treat their seasonal allergies, insurance doesn’t cover the cost of over-the-counter medication — but health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) do," she says. "The money you’ve set aside in your HSA or FSA can help to restock the medicine cabinet with essentials like antihistamines, pain relievers and cold medicine to treat allergies."
- Prepare your home. Air purifiers, vacuums and other household appliances are powerful tools for combating allergens in the home. Wearing a mask outdoors can also help prevent symptoms by limiting the amount of pollen inhaled. And in the longer term, finding ways to "go green" in your personal life can also help the overall fight against climate change and improve the air for everyone.
Methodology
To find out how much Americans are spending on allergic reactions and asthma, ValuePenguin researchers analyzed Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Health Care Satellite Account data.
Specifically, we compared the change in National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) dollars for allergic reactions and asthma from 2000 to 2021. We used the same source to find the percentage change in the prevalence index for allergic reactions and asthma.
We analyzed 2021 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) demographic data on allergies, 2022 NCHS data on asthma and Google Trends search data from January 2019 to January 2024 on allergies and seasonal allergies.