Do you also start sneezing as soon as you smell a speck of dust? Or do you get a rash and itch when you eat certain foods? Or do you have difficulty breathing when you smell certain smells? If you have an allergy like this, one question that definitely comes to your mind is, "Will my child inherit this?" This is a fear that many parents have, as well as a great curiosity. So today, let's talk about the real connection between allergies and heredity, that is, genes.
What is the real connection between genes and allergies?
Simply put, just because you have an allergy doesn't mean your child will definitely develop it. However, the tendency or risk of your child developing an allergy is definitely increased.
Think of our body as a building built according to a big plan. The blueprint used to build that building is our genes . We get these genes from our mother and father. So if either mother or father has genes that make them sensitive to allergies, there is a chance that the child will also get those genes.
The important thing is that the child does not inherit the same dust allergy as the mother or the same prawn allergy as the father. The child inherits an immune system that is capable of developing any type of allergy .
According to medical research, this risk can be expressed in percentages like this.
| Parental status | The approximate risk of allergies in a child |
|---|---|
| If both parents do not have allergies | About 15% |
| If one of the parents has allergies | About 40% - 50% |
| If both parents have allergies | About 60% - 75% |
Looking at this table, you can see how the risk of a child increases depending on the condition of the parents. But you can see that even if both parents have allergies, the child only has a 75% chance of developing it. That means it definitely won't . So what affects the rest?
It's not just genes that affect it, these things also affect it!
For an allergy to develop, it is not enough to have the 'seed' called genes . You also need a suitable 'soil', that is, an environment, for that seed to sprout. According to experts, many other factors, in addition to genes, influence this.
1. Environmental Factors
This is the other factor that has the biggest impact. Allergies can arise from things in the environment where the child lives.
- House dust and dust mites: tiny creatures that live in bedding, pillows, toys, and books.
- Pollen : Pollen is spread from trees and flowers in the spring.
- Pet dander: Small pieces of skin and hair shed by animals such as dogs and cats.
- Mold: A type of mold that grows in damp places, such as bathrooms.
2. Air Pollution
Harmful substances in the air we breathe, such as vehicle exhaust and factory smoke, weaken the respiratory system and increase the risk of allergies.
3. Childhood Respiratory Infections
Don't be surprised, sometimes certain viral infections during childhood can change the functioning of the immune system and make you more sensitive to allergies.
4. Diet and Lifestyle
This is also a hotly debated topic. Some believe that because we are cleaner than we used to be ("Hygiene Hypothesis"), our immune systems have less opportunity to be 'trained' by being exposed to various germs during childhood. As a result, this 'untrained' immune system begins to react violently to even harmless things like dust and pollen. That's what we call an allergy.
Have you heard of the 'Atopic March'?
This is also something you as parents should be aware of. The 'Atopic March' is a pattern of allergic diseases appearing one after another as a child ages, like a parade.
- First: It can start as a skin condition called eczema , which occurs during infancy.
- Next: As they get older, food allergies can develop to certain foods, for example, milk, eggs, and peanuts.
- As they get older: Allergic rhinitis, a condition characterized by symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing, may develop due to things like dust and pollen.
- Finally: This can develop into asthma in some children as they grow older.
This means that even if you only have frequent sneezing, your child, who inherits the gene from you, may first develop a skin rash. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to these symptoms in your child.
What can I do as a parent?
Reading all this may make you feel scared. But don't be afraid. Genes are not destiny. There are things we can do to manage our risk.
1. Don't panic: The first thing to understand is that just because you have allergies, doesn't mean your child will develop them too.
2. Pay attention to your child: Does your child often get rashes or rashes on their skin? Does he vomit or have diarrhea after eating certain foods? Does he often have a runny nose or sneeze for no reason? Keep an eye out for things like this.
3. Control the environment: Keep your home as dust-free as possible. Wash bed sheets and pillowcases frequently in hot water. If your child has allergies, keep pets out of the bedroom.
4. Talk to your doctor: This is the most important and best thing . If you have any doubts or fears about this, talk to your family doctor or pediatrician about this. Tell the doctor about your and your family's allergy history. Then he will advise you exactly what symptoms to watch out for in your child and what to do.
Take-Home Message
- Although genes have a strong influence on the development of allergies, it is not 100% certain. It is only a risk.
- If one parent has allergies, the risk to the child is about 50%, and if both parents have allergies, it can increase to 75%.
- In addition to genes, factors such as the environment in which a child lives, air pollution, diet, and infections also affect the development of allergies.
- Be aware of the 'Atopic March'. Remember that your child may develop skin conditions such as eczema, food allergies, sneezing, and asthma.
- If you have any doubts or fears, it is very important to consult your doctor immediately and seek advice, rather than just guessing.
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