Growing up with dogs 'could reduce chance of hay fever' - Pet health insurance

Posted : 29-04-2008

Having a dog around children in their early years can reduce the risk of them being sensitive to allergens, research has suggested.

According to a six-year study, children who grow up with a dog have less chance of developing conditions such as hay fever, eczema and asthma.

Joachim Heinrich, of Munich's National Research Centre for Environmental Health, said: "Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during subjects' infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitisation to pollens and inhaled allergens."

The German researchers who carried out the study believe that germs brought into the home trapped in the animal's fur may strengthen children's immune systems and cause it to be less sensitive to environmental factors.

Previous studies have suggested that allergies were reduced by growing up with dogs, but Professor Heinrich's research, which looked at 9,000 children, was the first that followed subjects to examine this.

According to the NHS, hay fever affects 20 per cent of people in the UK, with symptoms including watery eyes, a runny nose and sneezing attacks.

Those with a family history of asthma or eczema are also more likely to develop the condition.

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