Allergies and Genetics

Allergy is the body's hypersensitive reaction to any external allergen and its symptoms may vary in intensity among various individuals. While some people might not even notice these symptoms; for others, the reactions of the immune system are so severe that it may even threaten their life or give rise to many complications. What causes this difference in allergy symptoms intensity is genetics.

This means that the individual is more susceptible to a hyperactive reaction or response to allergens. Allergens are mostly harmless substances that may be safe for others but quite detrimental to the person who is allergic. If your parents suffered from some allergies then it is quite likely that the children will develop allergies or have greater tendencies to do so.

Even though genetics plays a major role in allergies, there are still many ways and lifestyle habits that can be adopted in order to enhance the body's immune system.

Whether the condition runs in your family or was directly inherited from your parents, the need to develop a healthy and strong immune system in order to combat the numerous symptoms remains crucial.

Depending on your allergies, and their severity, there are a multitude of treatment plans that can be adopted and made use of. Your doctor might even prescribe you individualized treatment plans so as to specifically target a particular allergic reaction while also considering the patient's overall health condition, his or her age and medical and family history.

It is however, mandatory to remember that not all allergies are curable. In actual fact, allergies are mostly treated rather than cured. Infants and children with allergies however, might develop a healthy immune system with time which helps cure these allergies naturally.

The best treatment plan for allergies whether genetic or otherwise, is prevention. If you have a family history of allergy to particular allergens, like dust mites, pollens etc. then it is highly recommended that you avoid exposure to these substances. Make it a habit to wear a mask before stepping out of the house or going to excessively windy and dusty places. Moreover, get rid of any carpets in your house. As carpets tend to trap dust particles and other minute substances, they are a complete disaster for those with a family history of allergic reactions.

It is already known that an individual's chance of developing allergic reactions is aggravated both by genetics and by environmental conditions. As different genes interact, the resulting combinations may either result in positive and sometimes even negative effects. Allergies are one of such negative reactions which may not be passed down in exactly the same manner or response to the exact allergen but the tendency is most likely to be passed and the body may respond to some other allergens negatively.