Abstract:

A large body of academic sources mention how the prevalence of allergies is unknown, and it is suggested that a large percentage of the population is unaware of their allergy. There is a gap in the research of the number of possible undiagnosed allergies or intolerance among teenagers. This paper explores the number of possible undiagnosed allergies or intolerance among teenagers in County A. The sample consisted of 91 individuals ages 13-19. A survey using google forms was used to examine whether or not these individuals had previously been diagnosed or had a high chance of having an undiagnosed allergy. The main findings consisted of the following: 1.) 18 out of the 91 participants had previously been diagnosed with allergies; 2.) 15 out of the 91 individuals had symptoms matching the symptoms of allergies without a diagnosis, meaning it is possible they had an allergy; 3.) Of the 4 participants with IBS, all of them were either determined to have a diagnosed allergy or a possible undiagnosed allergy. With more extensive research, we could determine a more concrete understanding of how many people in the population have allergies.