Monthly myth busting - Asthma can run in families, but this isn’t always the case!
Have you ever wondered if asthma runs in families? This month’s myth busting looks at if asthma runs in families, and if you can get asthma without anyone in your family having it.
You’re more likely to develop asthma if it’s in your close family, such as your parents or brothers and sisters. This is partly down to genetics and partly down to the shared environment you live and grow up in.
Your child is much more likely to develop asthma if either parent has the condition – particularly if both parents have asthma. There’s slightly more chance of asthma being passed on by the mother than the father.
But having someone with asthma in your close family doesn’t mean you or your child will definitely get it. And people can get asthma without anyone in their family having it.
You can learn more about the causes of asthma here: https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/understanding-asthma/causes
Our amazing supporter, Gerard, sadly lost his wife Margaret to bronchiectasis in October 2023. This year he took on a special challenge to remember her and raise awareness of this condition. Here he tells us all about the challenge and what it meant to him.