Are Allergies Hereditary? What Parents Need to Know

You’ve struggled with allergies your whole life—the sneezing, the itchy eyes, the constant congestion. Now you’re a parent, and you’re wondering: will your child inherit your allergies too?

The short answer is: they might. Allergies have a strong genetic component. If one parent has allergies, their child has about a 30-50% chance of developing allergies. If both parents have allergies, that risk jumps to 60-80%.

But genetics isn’t destiny. Even children with allergic parents might not develop allergies, and some children with no family history do. Understanding the connection between heredity and allergies can help you take steps to reduce your child’s risk and recognize allergies early if they develop.

At myPediaClinic in Dubai, we help families understand and manage childhood allergies. This guide explains the genetic factors, what you can do, and when to see a doctor.

Understanding the Genetics of Allergies

What’s Actually Inherited?

Your child doesn’t inherit your specific allergy (like your allergy to dust mites or grass pollen). What they inherit is a tendency called atopy—a genetic predisposition to develop allergic conditions.

Atopy means the immune system is more likely to produce IgE antibodies in response to normally harmless substances (allergens). This inherited tendency can lead to various allergic conditions:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
• Asthma
• Food allergies

The Risk Numbers

• No allergic parents: About 10-15% chance of developing allergies
• One allergic parent: About 30-50% chance
• Both parents allergic: About 60-80% chance
• Both parents with same allergic condition: Even higher risk

Siblings and Allergies

If one sibling has allergies, other siblings are at increased risk—but it’s not guaranteed. Different children in the same family may have different allergic conditions, or some may have allergies while others don’t.

The Atopic March: How Allergies Progress

In children with atopic tendency, allergic conditions often develop in a predictable sequence called the “atopic march”:

1. Eczema (infancy): Often appears in the first year of life
2. Food allergies (early childhood): Commonly develop in the first 2-3 years
3. Asthma (preschool/school age): Often develops between ages 2-6
4. Allergic rhinitis (school age): Usually develops after age 5

Not every allergic child follows this exact pattern, but understanding the atopic march helps doctors identify at-risk children and intervene early.

Environmental Factors Also Matter

Genetics loads the gun, but environment pulls the trigger. Many factors influence whether a genetically predisposed child actually develops allergies:

Factors That May Increase Allergy Risk

• Early exposure to allergens: Though research is evolving
• Tobacco smoke exposure: Both prenatal and postnatal
• Air pollution: Living in high-pollution areas
• Limited microbial exposure: The “hygiene hypothesis” suggests too-clean environments may contribute
• Certain dietary patterns: Western diets may increase risk
• Antibiotic use in early life: May affect gut microbiome
• C-section delivery: May affect early microbiome development

Factors That May Decrease Allergy Risk

• Breastfeeding: Associated with reduced allergy risk, especially if continued for 4-6 months
• Diverse gut microbiome: Supported by varied diet, limited unnecessary antibiotics
• Early introduction of allergenic foods: New research suggests early introduction may reduce food allergy risk
• Exposure to farm environments: Children raised on farms have lower allergy rates
• Having older siblings or pets: May increase microbial exposure
• Vaginal delivery: Provides initial microbiome exposure

Can You Prevent Allergies?

You can’t change your child’s genetics, but you may be able to reduce their risk of developing allergies.

During Pregnancy

• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
• Eat a healthy, varied diet (there’s no need to avoid allergens unless you’re allergic)
• Take prenatal vitamins as recommended
• Manage any allergies or asthma you have with guidance from your doctor

In Infancy

• Breastfeed if possible: Aim for exclusive breastfeeding for about 4-6 months
• Introduce allergenic foods early: Current guidelines suggest introducing peanuts, eggs, and other common allergens around 4-6 months (not delaying them)
• Maintain skin barrier: Regular moisturizing may help prevent eczema, which is linked to later allergies
• Avoid tobacco smoke: Never smoke around your baby

In Childhood

• Provide a varied, nutritious diet
• Use antibiotics only when truly necessary
• Allow safe exposure to dirt, animals, and the outdoors
• Maintain a clean but not sterile home environment

Early Introduction of Allergenic Foods

This is one area where recommendations have changed significantly. Previously, parents were advised to delay introducing allergenic foods. Now, research shows the opposite approach may be protective.

Current Recommendations

• Introduce common allergens (peanuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, tree nuts, fish, shellfish) around 4-6 months, once your baby is eating solids
• Start with small amounts and gradually increase
• For babies at high risk of peanut allergy (those with severe eczema or egg allergy), consult your pediatrician first—testing may be recommended
• Once introduced, continue regular exposure

The landmark LEAP study showed that early peanut introduction reduced peanut allergy by about 80% in high-risk infants.

Signs Your Child May Have Allergies

If your child is at increased genetic risk, watch for these signs:

Skin Signs

• Eczema (dry, itchy, red patches, often starting in infancy)
• Hives (raised, itchy welts)
• Swelling, especially of face, lips, or eyes

Respiratory Signs

• Frequent sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose that doesn’t seem to be from a cold
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
• Recurring “colds” that last longer than usual

Digestive Signs

• Vomiting or diarrhea after eating certain foods
• Stomach pain
• Blood in stool (in infants, may indicate milk allergy)

Behavioral Signs

• Rubbing nose or eyes frequently
• Mouth breathing
• Sleep problems
• Irritability

When to See a Doctor

Consult your pediatrician if your child:

• Has persistent symptoms that suggest allergies
• Has eczema that’s difficult to control
• Has any reaction to a new food (even mild symptoms warrant evaluation)
• Has frequent respiratory infections or symptoms
• Has symptoms that interfere with sleep, eating, or daily activities

Seek Immediate Care For:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of tongue or throat
• Severe vomiting
• Signs of anaphylaxis (multiple body systems affected)
• Appearing very ill

Testing and Diagnosis

If allergies are suspected, your doctor may recommend:

Skin Prick Testing

Small amounts of allergens are placed on the skin (usually the forearm or back). A tiny prick allows the allergen to enter the skin. A raised bump indicates a possible allergy.

Blood Testing

IgE antibody levels for specific allergens can be measured through a blood sample. This is useful when skin testing isn’t possible.

Oral Food Challenges

The gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. Under medical supervision, your child eats increasing amounts of a suspected allergen while being monitored for reactions.

Elimination Diets

Removing suspected foods and reintroducing them systematically to identify triggers.

Living with Allergies

If your child does develop allergies, management is very effective today:

Avoidance

Learning to avoid triggers—whether foods, environmental allergens, or both.

Medications

Antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and other medications can control symptoms effectively.

Immunotherapy

Allergy shots or sublingual tablets can desensitize the immune system to specific allergens over time.

Emergency Preparation

For children with severe allergies, having epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPen) and an emergency action plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hereditary Allergies

If I have hay fever, will my child have hay fever too?

Not necessarily. Your child may have no allergies, hay fever like you, or a completely different allergic condition like eczema or food allergies. What’s inherited is the tendency toward allergies in general, not specific allergies.

Can allergies skip a generation?

It may appear that way, but it’s not that simple. Allergies are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. A child can develop allergies even without obvious family history, and vice versa.

Will my child outgrow their allergies?

Some children do outgrow certain allergies, especially milk, egg, wheat, and soy allergies. Peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish allergies are more likely to persist. Environmental allergies like hay fever often persist into adulthood.

Should I avoid eating allergens while pregnant?

No. Unless you’re personally allergic to a food, there’s no reason to avoid it during pregnancy. Avoiding foods during pregnancy hasn’t been shown to prevent allergies and may actually have the opposite effect.

Should I avoid allergens while breastfeeding?

Not usually. Only avoid foods if your baby shows symptoms that seem related to something in your diet. Most breastfeeding mothers can eat normally.

Can I prevent my child from developing a peanut allergy?

For babies at high risk (severe eczema or egg allergy), early introduction of peanut products around 4-6 months—guided by your pediatrician and possibly after testing—may significantly reduce the risk of peanut allergy.

Does cesarean delivery cause allergies?

C-section delivery is associated with slightly increased allergy risk, likely due to differences in early microbiome exposure. However, it’s just one of many factors, and many C-section babies never develop allergies.

Will getting a pet reduce my child’s allergy risk?

Some studies suggest early pet exposure, especially dogs, may reduce allergy risk. However, if your child already has pet allergies, getting a pet will make things worse. This is about early exposure, not treatment.

Support for Your Family

Whether you’re trying to reduce your child’s allergy risk, wondering if their symptoms are allergies, or managing a diagnosed condition, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At myPediaClinic, our pediatric team helps families understand allergy risk, recognize symptoms, pursue appropriate testing, and manage allergies effectively. We take a practical, evidence-based approach to keep your child healthy and thriving.

Book an appointment to discuss your child’s allergy questions or concerns.