Are Specific Allergies Heritable?

The dander from the rabbit will not only be on the hands (when you mention handwashing habits), it will also be on his clothes, blankets, in his hair, basically everywhere. I am severely allergic to cats. All I have to do is walk in a house with indoor cats and my eyes start to swell and water and my bronchial tube starts to restrict. I don't even have to touch anything. Once when we visited my brother and SIL, they had extra cleaned their house knowing my allergies. But, I still had a hard time staying in the house. My only reprieve was the guest bedroom, where they keep the door closed at all times and the cats don't go in there.

Allergies can absolutely be passed onto your kids. I'm super allergic to cats, and have seasonal allergies. So does my oldest son. But the other two seem fine. You'll just have to wait and see!

Studies have shown that, yes, children can inherit a predisposition toward allergies if the parents are allergy sufferers (the previous poster was correct - the chances are somewhere between 40-50%). What studies have NOT shown is that a specific allergy is hereditary. So... if you suffer from allergies, your son has a 40-50% chance of developing allergies, as well. But according to the latest research, just because you have an allergy to rabbit dander, that does NOT mean your son will have a 40-50% chance of developing an allergy to rabbits, too. In fact, the numbers are much, much lower for specific allergies. I would alert the daycare workers to your allergy so that they know what to look for. I would also mention it to your child's pediatrician the next time you go in. You did not mention how old your son is, but I think in severe cases they can start allergy testing and shots somewhere around 3-5. HTH!

Does he have other allergies? Do you? Obviously there are many opinions and experiences with this type of question, but in my experience and with my family, yes allergies tend to run in families. However specific allergies only develop after repeated exposure to an allergen. So your son may not be allergic at first and may not show any signs, but after a few months may develop and allergy.

But if you or your family do not have other allergies, asthma or eczema, you may have developed the allergy after exposure and the chances your son will develop it may not be as high as you think.

My whole family has issues with allergies, eczema and allergies (to food, bugs and animals). So I've had a lot of experience, read a lot and talked to the pediatrician a lot.

My suggestion would be watch and see, if he starts showing any symptoms (runny nose, itchy eye) start him on a 24 allergy relief medication like Zyrtec or claritin. Make sure he does not touch his face after handling the rabbit and see if he can wash his hands right away.

I believe allergies are heritable. My sister and I are both highly allergic to avocados, and my daughter and her son are as well. Also, my SIL has terrible hay fever, so does my grandson. Best to seek information and advice from your pediatrician.

One of my best friends is extremely allergic to most animals. Neither her parents or children have any allergies. Sometimes things are passed on, sometimes not. I would suggest making the daycare workers aware of your allergies, so in turn they can keep and eye on your son for issues.

Hi there,
I am a holistic healer practicing Quantum Techniques, and in my family and in my healing practice, I do see allergies, sensitivities and energy toxins inherited in families. For more info in clearing allergies, sensitivities and toxins go to:
http://quantumtechniques.com/
or you can contact me if you want additional articles/resources.
Good luck.
Blessings,
K.
Kimberly Smith Cavins, OTR, CPE, EFT-Cert
"From the Heart" Family Healing

Helping people with:
~Parenting or Family Struggles
~Unhealed Emotional Issues, Trauma, or Illness
Who need Peace, Love, and Connection

Remedy Center for Healing Arts; 4910 Burnet Rd Austin, Tx 78756; ____@____.com

Yes, some allergies are heritable. This is really a question for your allergy Dr. They can specifically test him for a rabbit allergy if you are really concerned.

Ask your Pediatrician.
Since his exposure to rabbits will affect you too.

Now, as a child, I was allergic to cats. Had reactions to it, like you do to Rabbits.
As I have gotten older, well I had pet cats. I am an animal lover. I just learned to wash my hands and not to put my hands to my face etc.
And changed my clothes after playing with them.

But... no one else, in my family, is or was allergic to cats. Only me.

Yes! My allergist told me that my kids have a 40% chance of inheriting my allergies. When one parent is "allergetic" and the other is not, there is a 40% chance your children will inherit yours. Very often they will be allergic to what you are but not always. I am very allergic to cats, dogs, dust mites and cedar (just like my dad). My son has managed to get my husband's genes but my daughter is a mess like me (she's 3). Can't really pin point what she is allergic to just yet, other than dust mites. Some allergists think early exposure to an animal (cats, bunnies, dogs, etc.) will help their body to develop antibodies to the dander and reduce their chances of having the allergy (i.e. if he were exposed to a bunny early in life, he might have much less of a sensitivity than you, or maybe not at all). Who knows. You won't know until you try. Although, will you be able to attend school functions? Something to think about.

Updated

Yes! My allergist told me that my kids have a 40% chance of inheriting my allergies. When one parent is "allergetic" and the other is not, there is a 40% chance your children will inherit yours. Very often they will be allergic to what you are but not always. I am very allergic to cats, dogs, dust mites and cedar (just like my dad). My son has managed to get my husband's genes but my daughter is a mess like me (she's 3). Can't really pin point what she is allergic to just yet, other than dust mites. Some allergists think early exposure to an animal (cats, bunnies, dogs, etc.) will help their body to develop antibodies to the dander and reduce their chances of having the allergy (i.e. if he were exposed to a bunny early in life, he might have much less of a sensitivity than you, or maybe not at all). Who knows. You won't know until you try. Although, will you be able to attend school functions? Something to think about.

Well, I have asked the allergy doctor this question myself, but not about rabbits. Just about inheriting allergies from a parent to a child. He told me that kids are more suseptible (sp?) to allergies if their parents are. My husband is allergic to rabbits as well, terribly in fact, and my oldest son was terribly allergic to cats when he was very young, his eyes almost swelled shut, and his asthma and allergies would start up, and that is the beginning of when we found out he had asthma. Anyhow, we started getting him allergy shots, which included a "cat-dog" shot too. He went through the shot program, which took 5 years, and now he is rarely bothered by anything at all, and usually only has an asthma problem once a year or so. I would say with good hand washing and making sure the rabbit is not in direct contact with your son that everything should be OK, but I'd take him to the dr right away if any symptoms show.