Are animal alergies hereditary?

If a newborn baby is exposed to cats and dogs early will it make them less susceptable(?) to allergies to cat/dog hair? Could it make them develop allergies? Sources of info too please + thank you.

Are animal alergies hereditary?

The tendency to develop allergies is hereditary. My parents both have terrible allergies to pollens, grass, and mold. I, on the other hand, am very allergic to cats. I do have two cats and as the years have gone by, my allergies TO THEM has lessend. When I go near a different cat, I will sneeze and my eyes water.

I get what you are saying about exposing your newborn to cats and dogs. I wouldn't purposely expose a newborn to anything foreign. Their immune systems are just developing and their lungs are still maturing.

If, however, there are cats/dogs in the house--the baby will develop a tolerance to their dander and fur with exposure.

That is just the idea that allergy shots use. When you get these shots, the dr. is injecting a very small amount of the things you are allergic to. The idea is to get your body adjusted to these things so that when you are exposed to them, the allergic response is a lot less.

I think you will learn pretty early on if your baby is allergic to these animals. The baby may sneeze, have watery eyes, can develop a cough and asthma.

Are animal alergies hereditary?

My dad is allergic to cats and dust mits and I am too. My sister is also allergic to dust mites. I would say you might have a better chance being allergic to an animal if one of your parents is.

Are animal alergies hereditary?

I was raised to believe that if you expose an infant to their environment, it will make them less suseptable to allergies, but I haven't seen much proof in that, But I have noticed that allergies do tend to be hereditary.