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Asthma

Asthma Genetics

05/26/2000

Question:

Does asthma have any inherited/genetic links? I have asthma, as well as excema, and have a young niece who also has excema as well as another allergy. Should we be watching her for asthma as well?

Answer:

Asthma is a genetic and environmental disease. If your niece with eczema has atopic dermatitis (an allergic eczematous skin disorder) she is at increased risk for allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and asthma. If one parent has a history of allergies/asthma there is approximately a 25-30% risk that an offspring will have the same problem. If both parents have allergies/asthma then this risk increases to 50-60%. She should be evaluated by an allergist and tested to see what she is sensitized to. Depending on the results, it would be prudent to implement appropriate avoidance measures (ie. Dust mites, animal...) as these interventions have been shown to reduce symptoms and in some cases prevent progression of disease. Please visit "www.stopallergy.com" for more information and effective interventions.

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Response by:

University of Cincinnati Jonathan Bernstein, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Immunology and Allergy
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati
Jonathan   Bernstein, MD