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Wednesday, August 28, 2002Researchers found that the 184 children in the group exposed to two or more dogs or cats in infancy were half as likely to develop common allergies than the 220 children who had no pets in the home. The study looked at allergies to six common culprits: dust mites, dog, cat, ragweed, and grass, as determined by skin and blood testing. There was a significant decrease in allergies in kids who lived with two or more pets, but not those who lived with one pet: The prevalence of any skin prick test positivity (atopy) at age 6 to 7 years was 33.6% with no dog or cat exposure in the first year of life, 34.3% with exposure to 1 dog or cat, and 15.4% with exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats. The prevalence of any positive allergen-specific IgE test result [blood test] was 38.5% with no dog or cat exposure, 41.2% with exposure to 1 dog or cat, and 17.9% with exposure to 2 or more dogs or cats. The actual numbers were small, but it does demonstrate a trend. There has been research published in the past that suggested that asthmatics do better when they live in dustier environments, too. All of which supports the expert quote of the day: "The bottom line," says Ownby, "is that maybe part of the reason we have so many children with allergies and asthma is we live too clean a life." My excuse for not having pets may have just gone out the window, but at least I now have a new one for not being a meticulous housekeeper. posted by Sydney on 8/28/2002 07:37:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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