While most people think of allergies as sniffles and sneezes, the reality can be very different. For some, allergies result in life-threatening anaphylaxis, a systemic allergic reaction that includes shortness of breath, swelling, and low blood pressure.
In those instances, a medical ID can save someone’s life.
Who’s Affected and the Cost of Allergies
Nearly 1 in 3 adults have seasonal allergies, eczema, food, or medication allergies.
Altogether, nearly 100 million people experience allergies in the United States. Anaphylactic food allergies alone result in 90,000 emergency room visits annually. Nasal allergies cost $3-4 billion annually, while food allergies cost around $25 billion.
Approximately 1 in 5 people have a contact allergy, a reaction to a substance that touches the skin.
Around 6.2 percent of adults, or 16 million people, have food allergies.
Drug allergies are responsible for 3-6 percent of all hospitalizations worldwide. Older adults also experience the highest death rate due to medication, food, or an unknown allergen.
Five percent of the population experiences insect allergies and 72 people die annually from insect stings.
The Most Common Allergens
Common examples of contact allergens include latex or nickel, as well as plants such as poison ivy or poison sumac. Approximately 4 percent of the population has a latex allergy, and 9.7 percent of healthcare workers have a latex allergy caused by repeated exposure.
Medications are responsible for the most allergy-related deaths. Nearly 10 percent of people state that they have a penicillin allergy, even though only 1 percent test positive for an actual penicillin allergy.
The most common food allergens include shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, and eggs. Sesame is an increasingly common allergen that affects approximately 1 million people and was recognized as a major allergen in the United States in 2021.
Why Should Adults Wear a Medical ID
Adults with severe allergies should consider wearing a medical ID—alerting others to this allergy can be life-saving if they experience an allergic reaction and are unable to advocate for themselves.
An accidental exposure to allergens can happen despite someone’s best efforts to avoid them, especially with food allergies. If this occurs, someone can lose the ability to speak or lose consciousness altogether rapidly. Letting the people around them know that it’s an allergic reaction allows for prompt treatment.
How to Engrave a Medical ID
Every major allergen should be included on a medical ID, including medication, food, insect, and contact allergies. At American Medical ID, you can choose from a wide variety of different medical IDs that include bracelets, necklaces, and tags to place on luggage or a backpack.
Each medical ID is completely customizable. The friendly customer support staff can be reached via phone or live online chat to answer any questions that may arise. It makes it easy to design and wear the perfect medical ID for you!
