PHILADELPHIA — August 18, 2022 — Immunotherapy use among people living with allergies is more prominent for those living with numerous allergy types and comorbidities, but is also linked to higher satisfaction with healthcare professionals and more active leveraging of condition management resources, according to a recent survey conducted by Health Union, the leader in social health. The inaugural Allergies In America survey illuminates the perspectives and experiences of people living with allergies.

These findings also support and fuel content and engagement for the recent launch of Allergies.net, Health Union’s 39th condition-specific online health community. Allergies.net provides information, connection and support for people living with a wide range of allergy types, including respiratory concerns, food, medications, insects and latex.

Immunotherapy is an increasingly used form of long-term treatment for people living with allergies. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, immunotherapy, which is most commonly administered as a shot, can often provide lasting relief of symptoms for an array of allergy types, as well as reduce inflammation.

Although most Allergies In America respondents (all age 18 and up) are living with multiple allergies, the two most prominent allergy types are respiratory allergies – including pollen, dust, mold or mildew and animals – and food allergies, with some experiencing both types. Analyzing the findings of respondents living with these two allergy types will give a better understanding of the overall health journey for the majority of people with allergies who use immunotherapy.

Of survey respondents living with respiratory allergies, 56% have currently or previously used immunotherapy. This line of therapy has been used by 46% of respondents living with food allergies.

Immunotherapy use appears to be more prominent among respondents living with a larger amount of allergies. Nearly two-thirds of respiratory allergy respondents who have used immunotherapy are living with at least five different allergies, compared to 41% of those who have never used immunotherapy. Similarly, 85% of food allergy respondents who have used immunotherapy are living with at least five allergies, compared to half of those who have never used immunotherapy.

Relatedly, respondents who have used immunotherapy are dealing with a greater number of symptoms. Both respiratory and food allergy respondents who have used immunotherapy are more likely than those who haven’t to have recently experienced allergic rhinitis, cough, fatigue and wheezing or shortness of breath. Food allergy respondents who have used immunotherapy were also more likely to have recently experienced a slew of other symptoms, including anxiety, dizziness, hives, itchiness and swelling.

Immunotherapy users living with either food or respiratory allergies were also more likely to also be diagnosed with and managing an array of other conditions, namely asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps.

Survey findings also show immunotherapy use is connected to the types of healthcare professionals respondents see, which can be impacted by the severity of an individual’s condition. Whether they were living with respiratory or food allergies, respondents who have used immunotherapy were more likely than those who haven’t to most often see an allergist for their condition.