Children who grow up in a home with pets are less prone to food allergies. In this article, we'll tell you what the new study tells us.
How it works
Such research results can reassure parents who are worried about children and animals in the house.
According to the PLOS One study, a pregnant mother's contact with a cat or dog reduces the risk of food allergies in a child by 14%.
The contact of the child and the animal in infancy or the womb has the greatest effect.
One possible hypothesis is that the immune response is triggered by contact with pet dander.
The results of the study show that growing young children with dogs is associated with a low risk of developing allergies to milk, eggs, and nuts.
Contact with cats protected against allergies to eggs, wheat, and soy.
No relationship was found between ownership of turtles, birds, and rodents and allergies in children.
66,000 children took part in the study of this fact. Such a large sample makes the study more reliable.
However, the results should not be taken at face value and a special cat or dog should not be taken for this purpose only.
