Back to forecast
Top Ten Allergy Causes
January 29, 2025 at 03:22 PM EST
By WeatherBug Sr. Meteorologist, Julie Gaddy

With more than 60 million Americans affected, allergies are an important health issue.
Billions of dollars are spent yearly to treat symptoms and prevent potentially fatal reactions. So what is responsible for causing all this mayhem? Below is a list of the most common allergy causes.
- Pollen -- Based on the season, weeds, trees and grasses all release tiny particles into the air that cause your nose to itch or your eyes to water.
- Mold spores -- Tiny fungi which ruin your bread, fruit and vegetables can also cause coughing and runny nose.
- Insects -- Biting and stinging insects will cause your skin to itch and swell. For about 2 percent of people, they can even be deadly.
- Food -- Publicity about allergies to nuts, lactose intolerance and other adverse reactions to food has increased over the years, making it easier for allergy-sensitive consumers to avoid these foods.
- Medicine -- Always discuss your medications with your doctor, and talk to your pharmacist about potentially harmful drug interactions.
- Dust -- Soil particulates picked up by the wind can get into your airways and cause you to cough or sneeze.
- Smoke -- Forest fires and cigarettes can irritate the nose and throat. If the smoke is thick enough, it can lead to respiratory problems.
- Pet dander -- Keeping your pet well-groomed can help alleviate those episodes of sneezing.
- Latex -- Skin rash, itchiness and occasional blisters can be triggered by an allergy to the rubber tree used to make latex. In rare cases, it can be life-threatening.
- Perfume -- Itchy eyes, skin rash, coughing and sneezing can be triggered by cosmetics containing certain chemical ingredients.
Image: Pollen from a variety of common plants shown magnified 500 times. (Dartmouth College Electron Microscope Facilty, Wikipedia)