Allergy Risk Factors and Causes
How do you get allergies? Get the facts.
It's not entirely clear why some people develop allergies and others don't, but the following allergy risk factors may influence whether -- and when -- you're likely to develop them:
Family history -- Having a parent with allergies increases your risk of developing allergies. People with two allergic parents tend to develop allergies as children, whereas people with only one allergic parent usually develop allergies later in life, if at all.
Birth order -- If you're the firstborn, you're more likely than your siblings to succumb to the causes of allergies – like pollen and dander.
Gender -- As kids, more boys have respiratory allergies than girls, but by adulthood, these allergies are distributed more equally among men and women.
Age -- About 80% of people who have allergic rhinitis develop symptoms before age 20.
Although you may still be unclear about how you got allergies, the important thing is to understand your allergy risk factors – and take care of yourself when allergies do strike. Find the latest information on treating your seasonal allergies.
