ianstone
09-29-2010, 05:08 PM
Pet dogs reduce allergies in children, but cats increase them
Owning a dog could help children with allergies, but owning a cat will just make them worse, a study suggests.
By Richard Alleyne (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/richard-alleyne/), Science Correspondent
Published: 6:00PM BST 29 Sep 2010
2 Comments (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8032594/Pet-dogs-reduce-allergies-in-children-but-cats-increase-them.html#disqus_thread)
While the scientists at the University of Cincinnnati could not be sure what caused the difference, it does reignite debate between cat and dog owners.
The new study, published in The Journal of Paediatrics, examines the relationship between pet ownership and eczema.
Researchers found that dog ownership among children with dog allergies may reduce the risk of developing eczema by age 4 years; cat ownership, however, may increase the risk among children with cat allergies.
The team led by Dr Tolly Epstein gathered data from 636 children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy & Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS), a long-term study examining the effects of environmental particulates on childhood respiratory health and allergy development.
Children enrolled in the study are considered at high risk for developing allergies because they were born to parents with allergies.
The researchers focused on several potential risk factors for developing eczema, including dog and cat ownership. The children were tested for 17 separate allergies on a yearly basis from ages one to four years, and the parents completed yearly surveys.
The results provided interesting information regarding pet ownership. The researchers found that children who tested positive for dog allergies were less likely to develop eczema by age four years if they owned a dog before age one year.
Unlike dog ownership, cat ownership seemed to have a negative effect on children with cat allergies.
"Children who owned a cat before age one year and were allergic to cats based on a skin allergy test were 13 times more likely to develop eczema by age 4 years," Dr Epstein said.
She notes, however, that children who were not allergic to cats were not at an increased risk for eczema if they owned a cat.
Dr Epstein suggests that parents of children at risk for eczema may want to consider these findings when choosing a family pet.
Owning a dog could help children with allergies, but owning a cat will just make them worse, a study suggests.
By Richard Alleyne (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/richard-alleyne/), Science Correspondent
Published: 6:00PM BST 29 Sep 2010
2 Comments (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8032594/Pet-dogs-reduce-allergies-in-children-but-cats-increase-them.html#disqus_thread)
While the scientists at the University of Cincinnnati could not be sure what caused the difference, it does reignite debate between cat and dog owners.
The new study, published in The Journal of Paediatrics, examines the relationship between pet ownership and eczema.
Researchers found that dog ownership among children with dog allergies may reduce the risk of developing eczema by age 4 years; cat ownership, however, may increase the risk among children with cat allergies.
The team led by Dr Tolly Epstein gathered data from 636 children enrolled in the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy & Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS), a long-term study examining the effects of environmental particulates on childhood respiratory health and allergy development.
Children enrolled in the study are considered at high risk for developing allergies because they were born to parents with allergies.
The researchers focused on several potential risk factors for developing eczema, including dog and cat ownership. The children were tested for 17 separate allergies on a yearly basis from ages one to four years, and the parents completed yearly surveys.
The results provided interesting information regarding pet ownership. The researchers found that children who tested positive for dog allergies were less likely to develop eczema by age four years if they owned a dog before age one year.
Unlike dog ownership, cat ownership seemed to have a negative effect on children with cat allergies.
"Children who owned a cat before age one year and were allergic to cats based on a skin allergy test were 13 times more likely to develop eczema by age 4 years," Dr Epstein said.
She notes, however, that children who were not allergic to cats were not at an increased risk for eczema if they owned a cat.
Dr Epstein suggests that parents of children at risk for eczema may want to consider these findings when choosing a family pet.