The Most Common Allergy in Each State According to Google

This time of year, it seems like everyone is coughing, sneezing and sniffling. Lots of people suffer from seasonal allergies this time of year, but we were wondering - what is the most common allergy in the U.S.? In order to find out, we looked at Google searches in the U.S. over the past 12 months to see which common environmental and food allergies people were looking for information on. Like almost anything else, the first thing people do when looking for ways to deal with allergies is to check Google for ideas! The results are in, and according to our study, the most common allergen in each state is not what you might think.

According to our analysis, the most common allergy across the nation is soy! Soy is found in many mainstream foods, as well as some more specialized foods. Not only is it the main ingredient in tofu and meat substitute products, but it’s also found in many cereals, breads and even meat products. Soy lecithin is a fairly common ingredient generally used as a thickener in some of the more processed foods you purchase, so it’s harder to avoid than it seems.

Regardless of the fact that soy is the most common allergy according to Google searches, the season for pollen allergies has arrived - and it’s going to last until it gets cold! Environmental allergies searches - trees, ragweed, and pollen - topped the list as the most common allergen in almost 20% of United States. Ragweed is one of the causes of seasonal allergies, usually prevalent from mid-July to September, ending with the first hard frost of the season. Meanwhile, pollen season starts around March. Those with ragweed or pollen allergies can check the weather, which includes a pollen level to let them know if their symptoms will be making an appearance that day. Additionally, there are many over the counter treatments for allergies that can help keep the sneezing and sniffling to a minimum.

In the Western region, dog dander comes in second as the most common allergy. Pet dander often causes a nuisance for pet owners who don’t let their sniffles stop them from owning and cuddling a cat or dog. One of the best ways to combat a pet allergy is to invest in hypoallergenic carpeting. Not only does this type of carpeting neutralize odors, it allows pet dander to be vacuumed up easily, keeping the carpet from becoming a source of allergy symptoms

Tied for most common allergy in the Northeast are dust mites - those nasty, microscopic bugs that cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, and coughing. These little buggers are known to exacerbate asthma symptoms, so if someone in your household suffers from asthma, this is definitely an issue that might cause you problems. Cleaning your home, bedding and pillows regularly helps to fight dust mites, but the only real way to dramatically reduce the presence of dust mites is to purchase hypoallergenic pillows and bedding. The hypoallergenic flooring option is perfect for people who suffer from dust mite allergies as well. The fibers of the carpet do not absorb moisture, so microbes and allergens cannot grow within the carpet.

Allergies are a nuisance, no matter what type you have. But fortunately, you aren’t alone, and there are tons of different ways to keep yourself from having daily symptoms. Take steps to minimize the presence of allergens in your home with our HOME Fresh Carpeting, and you might find that you’re sneezing a little less often!