Jakarta, ThedailyID — Many parents worry that their allergies will automatically be passed down to their children. However, medical experts say genetics only increase the risk of developing allergies, not the certainty or the specific type of allergy.
Pediatric allergy and immunology consultant Dr. Molly Dumakuri Oktarina explained that children face a 20% to 40% chance of developing allergies if one parent or a sibling has a diagnosed allergy. The risk rises to 40% to 60% when both parents have allergies.
If both parents share the same allergic condition, such as asthma, the child’s risk can increase to as much as 80%. Meanwhile, children with no family history of allergies still have about a 5% chance of developing one.
Doctors say families inherit a tendency called atopy, not a specific allergy. Atopy describes an immune system that reacts more easily to harmless substances.
As a result, a mother with a seafood allergy will not necessarily have a child with the same allergy. Likewise, a father with asthma does not automatically pass asthma to his child.
Researchers have found that genetics play an important role. However, environmental factors also influence when allergies appear, how severe they become, and what triggers them.
According to Dr. Molly, allergy symptoms usually develop when two factors occur together. First, the child has an inherited tendency toward allergies. Second, the child comes into contact with an allergen.
Common allergens include cow’s milk protein, eggs, peanuts, seafood, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Since triggers vary, parents should not assume the cause based only on family history.
Doctors recommend proper medical evaluation to confirm whether symptoms are caused by allergies and to identify the exact trigger.
Early-life factors also affect allergy risk. Breastfeeding may help reduce the likelihood of allergies, while birth methods can influence the balance of beneficial gut bacteria that support immune system development.
Healthy gut microbiota help the immune system mature properly. This process may reduce the risk of allergic reactions later in childhood.
Experts say parents with allergies should not assume their children will develop the same condition. Instead, they should watch for recurring symptoms, recognize possible triggers early, and seek medical advice when needed.
