The larger of the two included data from children aged seven to eight. The incidence of allergies was 49 per cent in children who had spent their first 12 months of life in a home with no pets. This fell to 43 per cent in children who as babies had lived with one pet, and 24 per cent for children who had lived with three pets.
Two of the children had lived with five pets — neither of them had allergies. The second study tracked children from birth. There doesn't seem to be any solid evidence that some breeds of dogs are more or less allergenic than others. However, some people with pet allergies find they are more sensitive to certain breeds. Many people mistakenly believe that short-haired dogs like poodles are less allergenic than long-haired breeds. However, it's the animal's dander, not the hair or fur itself, that causes the allergic reaction.
With that being said, a long-haired dog is more likely to accumulate other allergens such as pollen and dust. There is general agreement that cats are about equally allergenic no matter what their breed. Since cats are always licking their fur, a child has a good chance of coming into contact with cat saliva, another common allergen. Hamsters, gerbils, and other rodents. These are also not recommended as pets for allergic children.
When caged, these animals can't really avoid stepping in their own urine or feces, which can cause a reaction when they come in contact with a child's skin. Reptiles and amphibians.
These are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. However, reptiles and amphibians such as turtles and frogs can carry Salmonella, a type of bacteria that can cause serious diarrhea and dehydration. For this reason, these animals are not recommended for children under age 5.
If you do opt for a reptile, follow these safety tips:. This is an option for children allergic to other pets, although some kids may be allergic to bird feathers.
Tropical fish are a great alternative pet for children allergic to other types of animals. Just be careful with large aquariums, which can add humidity to your home, resulting in mold and dust mites.
Studies have shown that high-level exposure to pet allergens can occasionally flip the immune system to eliminate a child's allergic response. This does not happen for everyone, and the chances of your child outgrowing his pet allergy are unknown.
It may be reasonable to wait and see if tolerance develops, as long as your child isn't having severe allergy symptoms or difficulties controlling her asthma. For example, a teenager may develop a tolerance, go off to college, and come back home several months later only to notice that the family dog now triggers allergy symptoms once again!
BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals.
We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. When Pets are the Problem.
American Academy of Pediatrics. Pet Allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Patient education: Trigger avoidance in allergic rhinitis Beyond the Basics. Join now to personalize. What are pet allergies? Pet allergy symptoms in babies and children When do pet allergies show up in babies and children?
What are the chances my baby will be allergic to my dog or cat? How can I tell whether my child is allergic to our pet? She was born in Southampton and has studied communications and journalism in Paris.
She has always loved dogs and cats and she knows she will have a dog one day, when the time is right. She feels lucky to be able to write about pets all day and she never stops being amazed about these wonderful creatures.
Tips about cats Cat lifestyle Cat facts and tips. Is there a risk my baby could be allergic to my cat? Cat allergy: can babies be affected? At what age do cat allergies develop? Can babies outgrow cat allergies? Cat allergy symptoms: How do you know if your baby is allergic to pets? Here are the most common cat allergy symptoms that can occur in a baby: runny nose serial sneezing itchy eyes conjunctivitis skin rash coughing or wheezing during the night or naps development of asthma Generally, all of these symptoms will be triggered immediately when the cat and the baby have been in contact , during playtime or cuddle time for example.
Cat allergy: prevention first and foremost In case of a proven allergy or if you suspect your baby to be allergic to cats, it is important to make sure his environment is as anti-allergenic as possible. Here are a few tips you can follow to do so: Limit any contact between your baby and your pet Install an air purifier with an activated carbon filter If the baby comes in contact with the cat, wash his hands carefully Air out your house on a daily basis, 5 to 10 minutes a day Vacuum your home frequently with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA outlet filter Prevent your cat from entering the nursery Wash the bed where your pet sleeps regularly once a week Brush your pet as often as possible to remove dead hair, its coat being a reservoir of allergens Apply an anti-allergic lotion to the animal to neutralize the Fel d1.
On sale in pet stores or at your veterinarian's, this product will effectively help you remove the allergens present in your pet's coat Try to make your environment as pure as possible. Remove rugs and carpets, and opt for washable materials instead. My baby is allergic to cats: what treatments to administer? The specialist may prescribe: Nasal sprays or eye drops : this will relieve the baby's nasal congestion and would be enough if your child has only a mild reaction to cats.
All of the medications, immunotherapy and cleaning measures will not guarantee the eradication of pet dander allergies, but with the right care and treatment, you can keep allergies under control. If you believe you or your child has pet allergies, contact Allergy and Asthma Specialists of North Florida today at or on our site at www. Our board certified allergists Patrick DeMarco, MD and Thomas Lupoli, DO have years of experience specializing in the complete care of both adult and pediatric allergy, asthma and sinus conditions.
Good question! Before scheduling that appointment though, do a little detective work yourself… First, watch your child playing with the pet. Allergy Testing to Determine Pet Allergies The way allergists determine what your child is allergic to is commonly through a skin prick or skin scratch test , also known as allergy testing.
But if your family is set on having a pet then then do your best to keep the indoor environment as clean and as free of dander as possible Also, be prepared for allergy symptoms to appear later on. Realistically, you may not be able to avoid all of the common allergens, but there are some steps you can take to reduce exposure: Let pets out of the house as often as possible.
Also keep pets off of furniture! The upholstery on your couch is a pet-dander magnet. Air currents still spread the allergens, but you can fit your heating and air conditioning system with an upgraded filter. Perform a thorough cleaning regularly. Upholstered furniture, carpets, bedding and even your walls can capture pet dander. If possible, remove carpeted flooring and replace with hard-surface flooring.
Have your child wash his hands regularly and have him avoid touching his eyes or other sensitive parts of his face prone to a reaction.
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