Allergies, AI, and Environment: A Closer Look

Allergic diseases affect millions worldwide, with prevalence rising steadily. Recent advances in AI tools are enhancing disease prediction, diagnosis, treatment, and management, offering new tools to improve patient outcomes.

An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to allergens, says Mexico’s Ministry of Health (SSA). These can enter the body via food, inhalation, skin contact, or injection. The immune system reacts by releasing histamines, causing symptoms like itching, sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, or dermatitis. Severe cases may involve swelling and breathing difficulties requiring urgent care.

Asthma and allergic rhinitis are among the most common allergic conditions, with over 300 million people worldwide diagnosed with asthma and about 80% of those also experiencing allergic rhinitis symptoms, reports Infomed. Allergies affect over 8 million people globally, and the WHO estimates that over 30% of the population may suffer from some type of allergy.

Factors contributing to the increase include genetics, environmental pollution, and climate change. Common allergens in many countries include pollen from grasses, olive trees, and cypress, as well as food allergens such as milk and eggs in children, and nuts and seafood in adults, explains Quiron Salud. Allergic reactions to medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin, are also frequent.

Environmental factors, particularly prenatal air pollution, are also being linked to allergic disease development. A 2025 study published in Environmental Epigenetics titled Prenatal Ambient Air Pollution Associations with DNA Methylation in Asthma and Allergy-Relevant Genes found that prenatal exposure to ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter was associated with DNA methylation changes in respiratory and immune-related genes. These epigenetic modifications may help identify new intervention targets to reduce the childhood risk of asthma and allergic diseases, highlights report. 

Preventing exposure to allergens remains the most effective measure, notes study. Treatments such as antihistamines, corticosteroids, nasal sprays, and immunotherapy help manage symptoms but do not cure allergies. Patients experiencing symptoms should consult specialists, such as allergists or clinical immunologists, for diagnosis through skin tests or blood analysis to identify triggers and develop appropriate treatment plans. Immunotherapy remains the only treatment capable of modifying the disease’s course and is tailored individually. Recent advances include specialized desensitization procedures for certain foods and medications performed by expert professionals.

AI technologies, such as machine learning and natural language processing, are being used to analyze large volumes of clinical, visual, and auditory data to identify patterns that enable earlier, more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment strategies, according to the Application and Research Progress of Artificial Intelligence in Allergic Diseases study. 

AI applications in allergic diseases (asthma, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, and urticaria) can help predict disease progression, optimize management, and reduce acute exacerbations. For example, despite established guidelines like the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), asthma control is often inadequate, partly due to low patient awareness and inconsistent medication adherence. AI tools can provide real-time monitoring and decision support through telemedicine platforms, improving patient outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare access.

Research and clinical implementation of AI in allergy care continue to expand, promising enhanced diagnostic accuracy, tailored therapies, and efficient resource use.