Risk Factors for Developing Asthma Genetic Characteristics Atopy The body's predisposition to develop an antibody called immunoglobulin E(gE)in response to exposure to environmental allergens Can be measured in the blood Includes allergic rhinitis asthma, hay fever and eczemaRisk Factors for Developing Asthma: Genetic Characteristics Atopy – The body’s predisposition to develop an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) in response to exposure to environmental allergens – Can be measured in the blood – Includes allergic rhinitis, asthma, hay fever, and eczema