Q: I've heard that having pets can reduce allergies? Is that true?
A: A study by Ownby, Johnson, and Peterson found that exposure to two or more dogs or cats in the first year of a child's life might reduce the child's subsequent risk of developing multiple allergies at ages six to seven. This study is consistent with two other large studies that found that early exposure to pets reduces the risk of allergy and asthma. Other studies examining children raised on farms with animal found that farm kids were less likely to be allergic than children growing up in an urban environment.
While these studies tend in one direction, five other studies concluded the opposite. These five studies showed a lower prevalence of allergic reaction but an increased risk of asthma and wheezing in children over six years of age.
It appears that the answer is still up in the air. However, some very interesting things are coming from these studies. For instance, some researchers believe that the protective effect from dogs and cats are not related to pet dander (what we've always believed) but instead to a bacterial endotoxin that is transferred through the animal's licks. Also of interest – this endotoxin causes a different type of immune system response than that of animal dander, and results in an immune response that reacts with less intensity.
While nothing is yet conclusive, researchers have a lot of new and interesting avenues to explore. Pets can be a wonderful part of childhood. But for children with asthma and allergies, it is a good idea to be cautious.
Always work directly with your child's healthcare provider to jointly develop an asthma action plan. By doing this, you're prepared if problems come up.
And finally, it is still recommended that pets should not sleep in the bedrooms with asthmatic and allergy-prone children because nighttime through early morning is when asthma symptoms can be at their worst. Keeping pets and their environment clean is also a good policy. It's better for the pets and the owners. |
