Does anyone close to you have allergies? It is a warning sign. After all, you too may be at risk. This illness is often inherited. Of course, it is more common in children. However, allergies can develop at any age. Sometimes they can disappear temporarily but then reappear years later. Exposure to allergens with a weakened immune system can also contribute to the development of allergies. So, let’s explore allergy inheritance.
Can Allergies be Genetic?
If you have an allergy, it doesn’t mean your child will have one. But there is a 50/50 chance. If your spouse also has allergies, your children’s chances increase to 75%. But other factors play a role, such as the environment, air pollution, respiratory infections, even diet and emotions.
Allergic Conditions
There are several allergic conditions that are often genetically inherited, such as atopic eczema, hay fever, or food allergies. Some people develop several allergic conditions as children, which will last a lifetime.
Some families are more prone to allergic conditions than others. Children born into such families often have a higher risk of developing an allergic condition. In this context, we speak of atopy—the tendency to produce an excessive immunoglobulin E (IgE) immune response to otherwise harmless substances in the environment.
It is estimated that more than half of children born into families with atopy will develop an allergic condition. The incidence of children with no family history of allergic conditions is one in five. The risk is even higher in families where both parents have an allergic condition.
Children do not always develop the same allergic condition as other family members. Research generally points to genetic susceptibility to allergies in general rather than a specific allergic condition.
Genetics plays a role in the development of allergies, but they are not the only factor. The environment also affects how your baby develops allergies. The good news is that even if your baby has hay fever, there are effective ways to manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Types of Allergies
Do you suspect that you have an allergy? It is important to identify allergies as early as possible. Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, upset stomach, skin rash, and difficulty breathing.
Food allergies are one of the most common and difficult to recognize allergic reactions. After all, almost any product can act as a causative agent. However, there are groups of products that are most often causative agents—eggs, nuts, fish, milk and dairy products, protein products, red berries, and fruits.
An allergic reaction to pets is also very common. Many believe that the main reason here is animal hair. But in fact, the main cause of allergies to pets is not so much their hair but the proteins contained in the saliva of animals. However, only special allergy tests will give a reliable answer to the question of what exactly caused the allergy.
An allergic reaction to pollen of flowering plants is called hay fever. The body perceives pollen proteins as aggressive elements and begins to defend itself by sneezing, runny nose, and increased lacrimation.
Hay fever occurs during the flowering season of plants, mainly in spring, and occasionally in summer. Sometimes an allergy is observed to dust mites and their waste products.
A persistent allergy to a certain group of medications or cosmetics used for hygiene is also possible. People with a predisposition to allergic reactions to insect bites should be constantly monitored by an allergist. The danger of an allergy from insect bites is its lightning-fast course and is fraught with the occurrence of Quincke’s edema. Allergic reactions to colds and some types of vitamins are fewer common types of allergies. But they also occur and are subject to treatment. You should be extremely careful.
Pregnancy and Allergy Treatments
Hormonal shifts during pregnancy, especially increases in estrogen and progesterone, can affect how the immune system responds to allergens. These hormones play a role in regulating immune function, and fluctuations in them can lead to changes in immune responses. But not all allergies get worse!
For some women, hormonal changes can reduce allergy symptoms, providing temporary relief during pregnancy. Unfortunately, others may find that their allergy symptoms get worse or occur more frequently during this time. These changes are due to a complex interaction between hormones, immune responses, and individual sensitivity to allergens. It is important to talk to your doctor.
Conclusion
Tired of itching, wheezing, and sneezing? Allergies make life extremely uncomfortable. It’s time to see an allergist. Your doctor will perform genetic allergy testing to determine your condition and offer effective treatment options. We are always here to help you. Contact us anytime!
