Allergy Prevalence in France and Skin Impact – Epidemiological Survey of a Representative Sample of French Adults

Abstract

Background Increased allergy frequency may have a significant impact on the skin, one of the largest targeted organs for allergic and immunological responses. Methods An online survey of 2036 adults as a representative sample of the French general population was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported allergies, the populations who report allergies and the skin conditions related to allergies. Results In general, 20.2% of French adults (average age 45 ± 15.8 years) reported allergies. These allergies were respiratory allergies (55.3%), skin allergies (48.8%) and food allergies (27.9%), and 78.9% indicated that their reported allergies were diagnosed by a doctor. In addition, 53.2% of individuals reporting an allergy also indicated that they experienced associated skin reactions. In comparison to those who did not report an allergy, these individuals were 1.5 to 4 times more likely to have a skin disease and 3 times more likely to have sensitive skin or skin reactions when using skincare products. Conclusion It is estimated that over 10 million French adults have allergies. These data will help increase awareness among the allergic population and healthcare professionals about the burden associated with allergies and the need for management to reduce their health impact.