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Your Environment. Your Health.

Allergens & Irritants

Introduction

woman scratching her back

Asthma is one of our nation's most common chronic health conditions. Many substances can aggravate allergies or increase the severity of asthma symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to these allergens or irritants.

This webpage is designed to help you survive the seasons by providing information on asthma, allergies and some of the most common seasonal and non-seasonal allergens and asthma irritants such as:

The following clinical trials are currently recruiting

In addition, we provide preventive strategies for each to help you avoid exposure to these substances.

Information contained on this webpage is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used to guide the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition without the advice and supervision of a licensed, qualified health care provider.

For information on other pulmonary research performed at NIEHS, visit the Division of Intramural Research Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory and the Division of Extramural Research and Training Translational Research webpages.

What is NIEHS Doing?

NIEHS Research Efforts

Further Reading

Stories from the Environmental Factor (NIEHS newsletter)

Additional Resources

  • Allergy Seasons Are Worsening and Climate Change Is Playing a Significant Role (2021) - Research news release from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
  • American Lung Association - The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.
  • Environmental Wellness Toolkit - What surrounds you each day in your home, work, or neighborhood and the resources available to you can affect your health. You can’t always choose what’s in the environments you live, work, or play in. But taking small steps to make your environments safer and limiting your exposure to potentially harmful substances can help keep you healthier.
  • Food Allergy - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is the lead institute at the National Institutes of Health conducting research on food allergy, a condition that affects approximately 5 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the United States. Read on to learn more about food allergy and the steps NIAID is taking to address this growing problem.
  • National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus: Allergy - A compilation of links to various resources that help with allergy treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
  • Talking to Your Doctor - Resources from NIH - You can play an active role in your health care by talking to your doctor. Clear and honest communication between you and your physician can help you both make smart choices about your health.

Related Health Topics

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