Growing up with animals does not necessarily mean your child won’t suffer from allergies. The truth is, that scientists have conducted dozens of studies and have not reached a consensus.
It is thought that pets may have a positive effect on immunity. This idea stems from the 1989 "hygiene hypothesis" [1], which theorized that an increase in allergies is associated with the sterile environment in which children grow up. Growing up with pets exposes children to microbiological diversity in the home.
Some results that support this view state that:
The presence of a dog in the home may reduce the risk of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic sensitization. Cats pose a risk of developing atopic eczema [2].
The more animals a child grows up with during the first year of life, the lower the risks of developing allergies at age 7-9 years [3].
However, other studies suggest otherwise.
A systematic review showed that pets may be associated with asthma in children [4]. Another meta-analysis did not confirm concerns about asthma but pointed to the possibility of developing allergies to cats and dogs [5].
So, the data are conflicting. Therefore, getting pets for allergy prevention does not make sense. If you have pets, they should be a source of joy, not concern.
