Genetics could hold the key to treating common allergies

Spring can be an unpleasant time for anyone suffering from asthma, hay fever or eczema.

But a team of Brisbane scientists are on the case - they've discovered specific genetic markers that help explain why people develop these common allergic conditions.

"We found 132 genes that are not working properly in people who have allergic diseases," QIMR Berghofer Institute researcher Manuel Ferreira told 9NEWS.

"This knowledge helps us understand why allergies develop in the first place and, potentially, gives us new clues on how they could be prevented or treated."

There is no cure for these three allergies, however scientists hope to now cherry-pick the genes they believe are most likely to lead them to developing new treatments.

"The first step would be to test those drugs in the laboratory," Mr Ferreira said.

New treatments would be an enormous relief for parents such as Madeleine Flynn.

Her four-year-old son Edison suffers the full hat trick of allergies, and has done since birth.

"If anyone can be spared by this research - wow - that's a big thing," Mrs Flynn said.

But you'll have to be patient - we're not likely to see any new treatments for at least five years.