Evaluation Dogs can protect children from eczema, asthma and allergies

If children have contact with dogs early, this increases the protection against allergies

Anyone with a dog will surely confirm that his pet is a faithful companion and greatly enriches the life of its owner. Especially children love dogs and like to play with the animals. Caring for a pet not only leads to a better overall handling of animals in children, but also seems to provide increased protection against allergies.

The scientists at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore found in their study that a dog in the home of children, the children are better protected against the development of eczema and asthma. The experts released a press release on the results of their study, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Boston.

Most little kids love dogs. But dogs can not only be a valuable play partner for children, they also have a protective effect against allergies and eczema. (Image: cristina_conti / fotolia.com)

Newborns rarely develop allergic skin conditions when mothers have a dog

A dog in the home brings health benefits to children, it can protect against the emergence of allergies. This effect is already apparent in babies who are born into a household with a dog. Affected newborns develop rare allergic skin diseases in the first years of their lives.

Physicians took samples from 180 households with children

In their study, the scientists investigated the effects of contact with dogs on children with allergies. In addition, the experts analyzed what happens when affected children come into contact with the corresponding animal allergenic substances. They took samples from 180 households with children. These samples should indicate which animals and which allergens are present in the house. Accompanying the researchers also documented the children's asthma symptoms.

The protective effect of dogs on children's health does not occur in other animals

The researchers came to an interesting conclusion in their study: If children have contact with some so-called non-explicitly allergenic elements of dogs, this leads to a protective effect against asthma. Such children had the advantage that they had fewer problems with their asthma during the night. In addition, these children had to inhale drugs less frequently in the morning for their asthma. The protective effect identified in the study was presumably attributed to certain bacteria, the experts speculate. However, it is also possible that it is related to previously unknown factors. When a similar effect was observed in other animals such as cats, mice or cockroaches, no such protective effect could be observed.

Parents of children with dog allergy should be careful

The study of another research team has shown that living with a dog can be problematic for children with allergies to dogs. An allergic reaction can have unpleasant consequences, but can also lead to a reduction in the symptoms of asthma, explain the scientists. However, it is still alarming to expose children with allergic reactions to dogs to allergen, explains author Po-Yang Tsou of Johns Hopkins University. When these children had direct contact with the allergens, they developed more symptoms and an additional need for medication. Such children should absolutely wash their hands thoroughly after cuddling with a dog. The dog should also not be left in the child's bedroom, the researchers advise. In addition, the use of special air filters and vacuum cleaners could improve the child's situation.

Contact from pregnant women to dogs protects their children from rash

The results of the current study showed that children were less prone to rash if mothers spent at least one hour a day indoors with a dog during pregnancy. Generally, skin rash occurs more often in children. This is often considered to be no real health threat, but an allergic reaction can quickly develop food allergy and this can then lead to respiratory allergic reactions or even asthma, the experts explain.

Should expectant mothers seek contact with dogs?

Expectant mothers should not worry about potential problems for their unborn baby by dealing with dogs. If mothers regularly have contact with dogs during pregnancy, at least in the first years of life of the child, this leads to much less development of eczema. Up to the age of two, this increased protection was observed, but in the 10th year of age of the children, the protective effect, according to the researchers, no longer exists. (As)