How can you balance having a child with allergies and pets?

In France, the number of people with allergies has doubled over the past 20 years, particularly among children and adolescents. And a large proportion of these allergies are triggered by pets, which are part of the lives of more than half of all French people. For these households, a difficult decision is often necessary. However, there are ways to prevent and manage children’s allergies while still having pets.   According to the World Health Organization (WHO), allergies are now the fourth leading chronic disease worldwide, after cancer, AIDS, and cardiovascular disease. By 2050, they estimate that half of the world’s population will be affected by at least one allergy.  

Why Do Pet Allergies Occur?

An allergy can develop at any age. The body triggers an aggressive immune response to reject a substance that has been eaten, drunk, touched, or breathed in. Allergies to pets are often triggered by exposure to animal urine, sweat, or saliva, as well as to dander—flakes of dead skin. Small enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods of time, these particles can also easily accumulate on furniture and clothing.

About 3% of the French population is allergic to pets.

The time it takes to develop an allergy varies (between 6 months and 4 years). It appears that occasional contact is more “sensitizing”—that is, more likely to trigger a reaction—than constant contact with animals. This is particularly true because sensitization can occur even in the absence of any direct contact with an animal—for example, through clothing. As a result, the allergy can persist for up to 2 years after the animal has left the home. The species most commonly involved are : cats, dogs, and horses. Less frequently: rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and goats. Rarely: sheep, monkeys, pigs, and cattle. Birds and feathers have a low allergenic potential. Hairy pets can thus cause allergic reactions affecting the nose (rhinitis), the bronchial tubes (asthma), or the skin (eczema). These conditions often cause visible discomfort, forcing parents to make heart-wrenching decisions. However, there are ways to reconcile children’s allergies with having a pet.    

How can you minimize allergies in children?

First and foremost, you must ensure that the allergy is indeed related to the pet, which isn’t always the case. It’s easy to confuse it with an allergy to mites or other triggers. More thorough testing is necessary. Once confirmed, the first step is to try to modify the environment to avoid contact with allergens. This involves both washing hands regularly—especially after petting the animal—and designating pet-free (and therefore dander-free) areas in the home, such as the children’s bedroom. Therapeutic solutions are also readily and quickly available. Several medications, such as antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids, can relieve allergy symptoms by reducing the production of histamine, the main mediator of the allergic reaction. If that isn’t enough, prescription medications can also help. It’s important to consult with pediatricians or even specialized allergists. They may then recommend a form of immunotherapy called desensitization, which involves receiving small doses of allergens via injectable form. Of course, no measure can replace completely removing the pet from the home environment. But generally speaking, environmental changes combined with medication are sufficient to control allergies. There is therefore no need to part with the family pet. Especially since pets provide significant physical, emotional, and medical support to children and the rest of the family, and their presence in the home can actually help prevent the onset of allergies.    

Pets: Protection Against Allergies?

Although having a pet at home undeniably poses a risk of developing an allergy simply by virtue of its presence, an increasing number of studies are suggesting, on the contrary, that pets play a protective role. The topic remains controversial for certain conditions, such as ectopic dermatitis. However, a brand-new study supports this view by explaining that while early exposure to a dog may increase the risk of sensitization, it significantly reduces the risk of ectopic dermatitis. In general, the evidence is increasingly tilting in favor of the hygiene hypothesis. The idea is that children who grow up in sterile environments have reduced exposure to infectious agents—such as those carried by dogs—resulting in an underdeveloped immune system. This can then make them more vulnerable to allergic conditions. Thus, exposure to dogs during childhood may protect against eczema and reduce the symptoms of allergies and asthma. Babies born into homes where a dog was present during pregnancy benefit from a protective effect against allergic eczema until at least age 10. Similarly, dogs—more specifically, their bacteria and other associated particles—may have a protective effect against asthma, even in children who are allergic to dogs. Exposure to dogs appears to reduce the risk of asthma by 13% among preschoolers and school-age children, which certainly contradicts the idea that dog dander and particles could be a contributing risk factor. Pets do indeed seem to help prevent allergies. And the more cats or dogs there are in a household with young children, the less likely those children are to develop asthma, hay fever, or eczema. It is therefore not surprising that children who live on farms are even more protected and are less prone to allergies. Studies have shown that exposure to farm dust can increase the expression of a protective protein capable of inhibiting inflammation by altering communication between the lung mucosa and the immune system. And that’s not to mention the fact that infants raised on farms have a richer gut microbiota, which is associated with a lower risk of developing allergies and asthma. It is therefore important to consider all this information in order to make an informed decision about the future of your furry companion who shares your children’s lives.