by: mandi_09
Total views: 2
Word Count: 414

Have you ever heard that households with at least one pet have children with fewer pet allergies? If so, think again. A recent study of 2,000 children has been released that contradicts these conclusions. This study's results suggest that the presence of cat allergens in the home is directly associated with an increased allergic sensitivity of children up to two years of age. As children age, however, this seems to change. Children older than two years actually showed a decrease in allergen sensitization. This research study showed that any contact with cat allergens increases allergic sensitization among young children. Consistent contact with cat hair, whether inside or outside the primary household, raises this risk. Their conclusions were based on detecting the presence of IgE-specific antibodies, which are produced in response to cat allergens. These researchers used the data of the Lifestyle-Immune-System-Allergy (LISA) study. This LISA study investigated the effect that specific lifestyles had on the development of the immune system and allergic responses and diseases in childhood. The children studied were born between 1997 and 1999. Their parents frequently answered questions about general family life and health, and they recorded the contact with pets. The study combines these responses with scientific analysis of a house dust sample, which was taken from each home three months after the birth of each child, to determine how allergic sensitization develops. This dust sample was analyzed to find cat allergens, and the results were compared to the IgE antibodies in the children's blood, which was tested at ages two years and six years. In young children (up to age two years), the study showed a clear correlation between the cat allergens in the home and the incidence of allergic sensitization. Although this correlation decreased in the tests of six-year-old children, it was still noticeably present, which suggests that the risk was not completely eliminated. The study demonstrated that the most important determinant of allergic sensitivity is family history: if the family has a high risk for allergies, the children will probably have a higher incidence of allergic sensitivity. Children are also likely to demonstrate the same diseases as their parents, like hay fever, asthma, or pet allergies. Generally, the study concludes, families at high risk for allergies should not have cats in the household and should avoid them when possible. Because genetic risk plays a factor, however, even these behaviors will not protect children completely from allergic sensitization to cat allergens.

About the Author

Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews cat urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews. You can follow his reviews and occasional heartache at http://www.urineoffreviews.com

---

View PDF | Print View

---

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.
Next Article - Advantages and Disadvantages of Pet Microchipping
Previous Article - Tips for Raising a Healthy Pet

More Related Articles In This Category

1: How to Deal with Dog Parvo
2: Finding a Proper Collar for Your Small Dog
3: How to Give Your Dog a Bath without the Drench
4: 3 Easy Dog Training Tips
5: Dog Care Products For The Long Haired Dog
6: Caring For Your Horse And Companion
7: Pet Obesity: Guidelines on Weight Loss and Achieving Your Pet's Ideal Body Weight
8: The Facts About Chick Sexing!
9: How to Find a Unique Collar for Your Dog
10: Types Of Small Aquarium Sharks - Two Of The Most Popular
11: Tips On Buying A Used Cat!
12: The Top Ten Count Down of the Smartest Dogs In The World!
13: A Dog Well Trained Brings Joy!
14: Understanding The Breeding Of Puggles
15: Tips for Choosing a Dog Shampoo
16: Protect Your Pets By Preventing Flea And Tick Infestation
17: Train Your Puggle To Be The Best Behaved Dog
18: Animal Rescue Organizations Save Puggles' Lifes
19: Take Care of Your Puggle The Right Way
20: The Warm Fuzzy Feeling Puggle's Offer Us
21: Preventing And Controlling Avian Flu In Poultry!
22: Dream Of Having Your Own Horse
23: Know More About Abandoned Horses
24: Learn About Dog Kennel Cough
25: Need To Know Dog Training Tips

---

For WebMasters

Link This Article - HTML Code -

<a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/pets-and-animals/early-cat-ownership-doesn-t-decrease-incidence-of-childhood-allergies.html" target=_blank>Early Cat Ownership Doesn't Decrease Incidence of Childhood Allergies</a>

Link This Article - BBcode -

[url=http://americanahost.com/articles/pets-and-animals/early-cat-ownership-doesn-t-decrease-incidence-of-childhood-allergies.html]Early Cat Ownership Doesn't Decrease Incidence of Childhood Allergies[/url]

Copy This HTML Code To Put This Article In Your Web Site.

<h1>Early Cat Ownership Doesn't Decrease Incidence of Childhood Allergies</h1><br><br> <br><br> Have you ever heard that households with at least one pet have children with fewer pet allergies? If so, think again. A recent study of 2,000 children has been released that contradicts these conclusions. This study's results suggest that the presence of cat allergens in the home is directly associated with an increased allergic sensitivity of children up to two years of age. As children age, however, this seems to change. Children older than two years actually showed a decrease in allergen sensitization. This research study showed that any contact with cat allergens increases allergic sensitization among young children. Consistent contact with cat hair, whether inside or outside the primary household, raises this risk. Their conclusions were based on detecting the presence of IgE-specific antibodies, which are produced in response to cat allergens. These researchers used the data of the Lifestyle-Immune-System-Allergy (LISA) study. This LISA study investigated the effect that specific lifestyles had on the development of the immune system and allergic responses and diseases in childhood. The children studied were born between 1997 and 1999. Their parents frequently answered questions about general family life and health, and they recorded the contact with pets. The study combines these responses with scientific analysis of a house dust sample, which was taken from each home three months after the birth of each child, to determine how allergic sensitization develops. This dust sample was analyzed to find cat allergens, and the results were compared to the IgE antibodies in the children's blood, which was tested at ages two years and six years. In young children (up to age two years), the study showed a clear correlation between the cat allergens in the home and the incidence of allergic sensitization. Although this correlation decreased in the tests of six-year-old children, it was still noticeably present, which suggests that the risk was not completely eliminated. The study demonstrated that the most important determinant of allergic sensitivity is family history: if the family has a high risk for allergies, the children will probably have a higher incidence of allergic sensitivity. Children are also likely to demonstrate the same diseases as their parents, like hay fever, asthma, or pet allergies. Generally, the study concludes, families at high risk for allergies should not have cats in the household and should avoid them when possible. Because genetic risk plays a factor, however, even these behaviors will not protect children completely from allergic sensitization to cat allergens.<br><br> <h3>About The Author</h3> Ian Spellfield, an occasionally frustrated pet owner, tests and reviews cat urine removal products at his blog Urine Off Reviews. You can follow his reviews and occasional heartache at http://www.urineoffreviews.com<br><br> Keywords: <b>cat urine, urine off reviews, urine removal, pets, pet care</b> <br><br>Article Source : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles"><b>Articles Directory</b></a></br> Article URL : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/pets-and-animals/early-cat-ownership-doesn-t-decrease-incidence-of-childhood-allergies.html" target=_blank>Early Cat Ownership Doesn't Decrease Incidence of Childhood Allergies</a></br> Article Category : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/pets-and-animals/">Pets and Animals</a></br> Article Author : <a href="http://americanahost.com/articles/profile/mandi_09-1113.html">mandi_09</a>

---

Article URL : Early Cat Ownership Doesn't Decrease Incidence of Childhood Allergies
Article Category : Pets and Animals
Article Author : mandi_09