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Children With Allergies to Dogs & Cats

In 2007, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that approximately 37 percent of households in the United States owned a dog and 32 percent owned a cat. Many children experience mild to severe allergic reactions to dogs and cats, which can cause them daily discomfort at home or at friends' homes. Getting your kids tested early for allergies and watching for key symptoms will allow you to prepare your home and lifestyles to monitor their health.

  1. Definition

    • Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to particular organisms or bacteria in an attempt to protect itself. According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 15 to 30 percent of people with allergies are allergic to the dander (dead skin) of cats and dogs. Symptoms vary from a small rash, stuffy nose and itchy eyes and throat to sever chronic respiratory issues, such as asthma.

    Identification

    • If your child is experiencing allergy symptoms, your pediatrician or allergist has a number of testing options. Your doctor will likely look at your family medical history because a child has a 75-percent chance of having allergies if both parents have them. Then comes testing. The AAFA says that the most common allergy test is the skin prick test, which consists of putting small droplets of allergens onto the child's arm or back, lightly pricking each area and waiting for a reaction. If your child is allergic, an itchy red bump will appear. Blood tests can also be used to detect allergies.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Once you have confirmed that your child is allergic to cats or dogs, the best way to prevent allergic reactions or discomfort is to remove your child from contact with the allergen. For most families, this unfortunately means saying goodbye to your pet dogs or cats. Even when cats and dogs are sent outside, their dander stays behind in the carpets and furniture. AAFA's asthma studies show that cat dander can trigger severe asthma attacks in 20 to 30 percent of people with asthma and can even lead to chronic asthma. To avoid chronic asthma, it is in your child's best interest the he never be in close proximity to the type of pet he is allergic to.

    Reducing Allergens

    • If your family chooses to keep your pet, there are ways to lessen the effect of pet dander on your child. KidsHealth.org provides details on housecleaning techniques and household behaviors that can improve your child's lifestyle. Among these is designating a specific room or part of the house where the animal must stay. This will give your child a dander-free part of the house to live in. It is also important to remove carpets and rugs, since they tend to collect more dander than wooden floors. Depending on the severity of her allergy, your child may be permitted to play with the pet, but should be instructed to avoid physical contact as much as possible.

    Living with Allergies

    • FamilyDoctor.org lists a variety of ways to ease the suffering of allergies. Many families opt to bring their child for weekly or monthly allergy shots, which serve as immunotherapy. The shot injects a small number of allergens to acclimate his immune system to allergens in his environment. There are also numerous over-the-counter medicines that are used to relieve symptoms--antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops, to name a few.

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