Which Pets Are Best for Allergy Sufferers? Some May Surprise You.mp4

Veuer

A study published in PLOS ONE exposed over 6,600 children to pets including dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles and birds. Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo has the story.

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00:00It's true that exposing kids to pets can make them less likely to develop allergies,

00:05but there's exceptions to the rule. A study published in PLOS One exposed over 6,600 children

00:12to pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, turtles, and birds. The research from the Fukushima

00:18Medical University in Japan verified that in fact pet exposure is effective in preventing

00:24allergic disease. Kids exposed to indoor cats were less allergic to eggs, wheat, and soybean.

00:31Those exposed to indoor dogs are less likely to have allergies to eggs, milk, and nuts.

00:37While the overall trend seems to be that having pets around is better, there are clearly variations.

00:43For example, those exposed to outdoor dogs and hamsters at home were curiously enough

00:48significantly more at risk of developing a nut allergy. Researchers suggest pet exposure

00:54might change the mix of gut microbes in kids, or it might be something animals shed that boosts

01:00immunity. Either way, more research needs to be done, as Science Alert reports allergies are

01:06affecting more than 10% of people in developed countries.

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