Source: Health Day
A new study presented at the European Respiratory Society meeting in Amsterdam suggests that babies exposed to dogs early in life may have a significantly lower risk of developing childhood asthma. Researchers from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto analyzed household dust samples from 1,050 Canadian infants, measuring exposure to dog, cat, and bacterial allergens. By age 5, children exposed to higher levels of the dog allergen Can f1 had a 48% lower risk of asthma and better lung function.
The protective effect was strongest in children with a genetic predisposition to asthma or allergies. However, no similar benefit was found with cat allergens or bacterial exposure. Lead researcher Jacob McCoy suggested that early exposure to dog allergens may help prevent sensitization by influencing the nasal microbiome or immune system. Experts called the results promising but emphasized the need for further research before drawing firm conclusions.