Research in Arizona, U.S. has found that
having a cat in the family may increase babies' risk of developing
eczema. |
BEIJING, May 23
(Xinhuanet) -- A study in Arizona, U.S. linking cats and eczema has
found that having a cat in the family may increase babies' risk of
developing eczema.
The study was presented Monday at the American
Thoracic Society conference in San Diego.
Esmeralda Morales, a pulmonary researcher at the
University of Arizona at Tucson and her colleagues followed 486 children from
birth to the age of one after getting information from their parents on early
exposure to pets.
They found that of 134 children with cats in the
household, 27.6 percent had eczema by the time they were a year old compared to
17.8 percent of 286 children without cats.
Surprisingly, exposure to cats increased eczema risk
more if a child's mother did not have asthma. Previous studies have found people
susceptible to eczema are also more likely to suffer other allergy conditions,
including asthma and hay fever.
"Pets are a source of a compound called endotoxin
and if a child is exposed to endotoxin early in life the immune system may be
skewed away from developing an allergic profile," said Morales.
Cat allergy, being the most common pet allergy, is
caused by a protein in a cat's skin flakes and saliva. The allergen is shed into
the air and can remain airborne for months before collecting on walls and in
clothing.
Breathed in, it can trigger a reaction within
minutes, causing symptoms including itchy eyes, sneezing, asthma and rashes
typical of eczema.
It was possible the one-year-olds with
eczema might have a reduced risk of asthma or other allergic diseases later in
life, Morales said, adding: "The findings do seem to add more questions about pets and
asthma and allergies."
Strangely, researchers claim dogs are more
child-friendly when it comes to preventing allergy problems. Children exposed to
two or more dogs in the home may be slightly protected from developing itchy
skin rashes. Enditem
(Agencies)
