Is Hay Fever Genetic? A Guide to Seasonal Allergies and Your DNA

If your nose starts running like a faucet the minute springtime comes around, you're not the only one. Many of us suffer from seasonal hay fever, which can leave us feeling miserable and under the weather.

The question is, what causes hay fever and why do some people seem to get hay fever attacks more than others? One theory on why some people suffer from allergies more than others is that hay fever is genetic.

What Is Hay Fever?

Before we dive into the question of whether or not hay fever is genetic, let's take a look at what hay fever actually is. Hay fever is simply an allergic reaction to triggers in the environment.

There are two different types of hay fever: seasonal hay fever and perennial. These two types of hay fever work a little bit differently but generally cause the same effect on the body.

Seasonal Hay Fever

Seasonal hay fever is the most common type of hay fever. As the name implies, seasonal hay fever only affects you during certain times of the year. Typically, seasonal hay fever kicks in during the spring and summer months when pollen counts are at their highest.

During these months, plants release large amounts of pollen into the air. This pollen then gets into your eyes, nose, and mouth, triggering an allergic reaction.

Perennial Hay Fever

The second type of hay fever is perennial hay fever. Unlike seasonal hay fever, perennial hay fever affects you year-round. This type of hay fever is typically triggered by indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Mold, another common hay fever trigger, can lurk in damp areas such as bathrooms and basements.

What Causes Hay Fever?

Hay fever occurs because your immune system believes that dangerous substances are attacking the body. Even though these are harmless substances, your immune system attacks the triggers by sending leukotrienes and histamine into the bloodstream. The result is that an array of symptoms arise in the body, including:

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Dark bags under the eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Itchy ears
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Itchy mouth or throat

These symptoms happen in order to help expel the allergen from the problem area. They can also prevent more allergens from getting into the body.

If you have perennial hay fever, you may suffer from these symptoms year-round. On top of that, prolonged hay fever can lead to other issues including nasal polyps, nosebleeds, and sinus infections.

Is Hay Fever Genetic?

Now that we have a better understanding of what hay fever is and what causes it, let's take a look at whether or not hay fever is genetic.

The short answer is: yes, hay fever can be genetic. Research has shown that if one of your parents has hay fever, you are more likely to develop it yourself. If both parents have hay fever, your risk is even higher.

Studies have found several genes that correlate more strongly to developing hay fever than others. In genetic testing research, scientists discovered a total of 41 genes that can contribute to hay fever risk.

How Can I Find Out if My Hay Fever Is Genetic?

If you struggle with hay fever, understanding your genetics may give you a better understanding of how to treat your symptoms. With the right knowledge in hand, you can effectively combat hay fever and help yourself feel better.

To do so, you'll want to conduct a DNA test. Sequencing's whole genome sequencing uses a simple cheek swab to analyze 100% of your DNA across over 30,000 genes. From there, your genetic data can be analyzed for variants associated with allergic tendencies and hay fever risk.

The benefit of taking a DNA test for hay fever is that you can determine early on what your triggers might be. This can help you eliminate them from your environment or prepare yourself to manage symptoms more effectively when pollen season arrives.

Perhaps mom and dad are more to blame for your seasonal allergies than you might have thought. If you're interested in finding out whether you have hay fever genetics, get a whole genome sequencing kit from Sequencing and discover what your DNA has to say about hay fever and much more.