Twins and Allergies: A Complex Connection

Twins, especially identical twins, often share many similarities, including their likelihood of developing allergies. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to typically harmless substances, such as pollen, certain foods, or pet dander. The development of allergies is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.

Studies have shown that identical twins, who share 100% of their genes, are more likely to have the same allergies compared to fraternal twins, who share only about 50% of their genes. However, it's important to note that having the same genes doesn't guarantee identical allergies.

Environmental factors play a significant role in allergy development. These include exposure to different bacteria early in life, growing up on a farm or in a city, having pets, and early introduction to various foods. Even if twins share the same genes, differences in their environments or experiences could lead to different allergies or no allergies at all.

Researchers continue to study the complex relationship between genetics, environment, and allergies to better understand why some people develop allergies while others don't.