Allergies: The most important questions and answers at a glance
FAQ issued 4 June 2024
Allergies are widespread throughout the population. According to estimates, more than 30% of people in Germany will develop an allergy in their lifetime. A wide variety of substances can be the cause: plant pollen, certain foods, and even some substances in household dust. Insecticidal toxins, medications, and chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products or cosmetics, may also provoke allergic reactions. Symptoms range from itchy eczema to, rarely, potentially life-threatening anaphylactic shock. In this text, the BfR answers the most important questions about allergies. More detailed information as well as sources on this topic are available in a comprehensive BfR Science Report.