Does your little one always nag you to get a puppy or a kitten? But you feel a little scared, " Oh, if you bring an animal, the child will get sick, it will damage his skin, and he will develop allergies "? This is a problem that many parents have. However, new medical research tells a slightly different story than what we think. Let's talk about it today.
What does the latest research say?
A recent large study in Japan has found something very surprising. It involved more than 65,000 children. It found that if a child is exposed to cats or dogs in the home, either while in the womb or early after birth , those children are less likely to develop food allergies as they grow up.
Simply put, this shows that children who grew up with pets were 22% less likely to develop food allergies than children who did not.
So, according to this research, what types of allergies does having a puppy or kitten in the house reduce? Let's take a look.
| Pet | Possible food allergies (Food Allergies) |
|---|---|
| Cats | Allergies related to eggs, wheat, and soybeans. |
| Dogs | Allergies to eggs, milk, and nuts such as peanuts. |
| Hamsters | Surprisingly, children who live with hamsters have been found to have a slightly increased risk (0.9%) of developing allergies to nuts. |
Why is this happening? What is the science behind this?
Okay, now you're probably thinking, "If dust and animal dander increase allergies, how can they decrease them?" Doctors explain the main reason for this by the concept called the "Hygiene Hypothesis."
What is the "Hygiene Hypothesis"?
Simply put, this is it. Our immune system is like a soldier in training. To get it properly trained, we need to be exposed to various germs and bacteria at a young age. That's when our immune system learns to distinguish between a "real enemy" and "just a harmless thing."
Think about a child growing up on a farm, in a rural environment. That child plays with the soil, hangs out with the animals. He is exposed to the various microorganisms in that environment. Because of this, his immune system is well trained.
However, the immune system of a child who is raised in a clean, "hygienic" environment without being exposed to any germs does not receive this training. Like a soldier who has never faced any battle. Then this immune system becomes confused and starts attacking even harmless things (e.g. milk, eggs, pollen) as if they were enemies. That's what we call an allergy.
The same thing happens when you have a dog or a cat at home. The child is exposed to various microbes that are present in the body and environment of those animals at an early age, but which do not cause us any illness. This helps the child's immune system to be well 'calibrated' , that is, balanced. As a result, it is less likely to react to unnecessary foods.
Another reason for this: Epigenetics
Another important concept related to this is " Epigenetics ." Although this is a bit complicated, think of it simply like this.
We inherit genes from our parents. But not all of those genes are active at once. Some genes are "on," and some are "off." Things like the environment we live in, the food we eat, and our experiences can act like switches that turn these genes "on" or "off." That's what epigenetics is all about.
Doctors believe that exposure to pets during childhood helps to turn off or regulate the activation of genes that can cause allergies. That is, the way genes are activated is changed for the better by environmental influences.
For example, think about how peanut allergies have increased recently. This was not the case 30-40 years ago. The reason is not that our genes have suddenly changed, but that our lifestyle and environment have changed the way those genes are expressed (epigenetics).
So, should I get a pet for my child?
The results of this research are very encouraging. But before you rush out and get a puppy tomorrow, there are a few things to consider.
1. If your child already has allergies: If your child already has severe allergies or conditions like asthma, be sure to talk to your doctor before bringing a pet home. Sometimes, it can make the condition worse. This research is about how to prevent new allergies from developing.
2. Allergies in the family: If you or your husband have severe allergies to animals in the family, be careful about that too.
3. Cleanliness : Bringing a pet home is a responsibility. You have to think about things like keeping the pet clean and cleaning the house.
The most important thing is that you don't have to live on a farm or in a village to get this benefit. Even in a city home, if you have a pet with your child, you will get that benefit.
Finally, if you're thinking about bringing a pet home, this research gives you another good reason. However, that decision should be made with the health of everyone in the family and the well-being of the animal in mind. If in any doubt, it's wise to consult your family doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Exposure to household dogs and cats at an early age (in the womb or during infancy) may reduce the risk of certain food allergies in children in the future.
- The main reason for this is that the child's immune system is properly trained by exposure to harmless microorganisms found in the animal-related environment. This is called the "Hygiene Hypothesis".
- If your child already has a condition like severe allergies or asthma, it is very important to consult with your doctor before bringing a pet home.
- Having a pet is a responsibility similar to caring for a new member of the family. It requires preparation as a family.
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