About Pet Allergies in Children

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 25 percent of Americans are allergic to something. Pet allergies are a common form of allergy that can make life miserable for your child. Learning about the symptoms of pet allergies--and some strategies for managing them--can make life easier for the entire family.

Cause

• Allergies are caused when the body's immune system becomes sensitized to foreign proteins and starts attacking them. After allergies develop, the body's immune system goes into overdrive whenever it is exposed to those proteins. Children with pet allergies are usually allergic to the pet's dander, a sticky substance made up of microscopic skin flakes and saliva. Children may also be allergic to the pet's saliva or urine. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, genetics may make us more prone to allergies. For example, if you have allergies, there is a one in three chance that your child will also be allergic to something. If both you and your partner have allergies, the odds are even worse--a seven out of 10 chance that your child will be allergic.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of pet allergies in children can range from mild to severe, and can include a stuffy nose; itchy, watering eyes; sniffling; sneezing; congestion and sinus headaches. However, other, less well-known symptoms, may also be present. For example, a kiss from your dog could cause your child's skin to turn red, or even cause her to break out in hives. If your child is allergic to pets and has asthma, exposure to pet dander could trigger a frightening, potentially life-threatening asthma attack.

Treatment

• There is no cure for pet allergies in children. Many allergy doctors recommend getting rid of household pets, particularly if the child's allergies are severe. Allergy shots can be used to desensitize the immune system and reduce symptoms, but they are not a complete cure. Other treatments that may be used to minimize symptoms include nasal sprays that contain steroids or antihistamines, and antihistamine pills. Children with asthma can use inhalers to prevent asthma attacks. Some children grow out of pet allergies, but many struggle with them for life.

Prevention

• There is simply no foolproof way to prevent your child from developing pet allergies. However, according to a study performed by Detroit's Henry Ford Health System and the Medical College of Georgia, having a pet at home may make it less likely that your child will develop pet allergies in the future. The researchers kept tabs on more than 700 children for the first six or seven years of their lives, monitoring them to see which ones developed allergies. Children raised in homes with pets were less likely to have pet allergies.

Can Allergic Children Still Have Pets?

• If your child has any allergies at all, even to non-animal allergens like pollen, they are 15 to 30 percent more likely to develop allergies when exposed to dog or cat dander. Exposing them to pets that are not yours can help you determine if they will become allergic before you make an emotional investment in a pet. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic breed of dog or cat, but some children with minor pet allergies may be less sensitive to certain animals than others. If you know your child is allergic to pets but want to introduce a pet anyway, let your child play with the specific animal you want to adopt to see how strong her reaction is.

Pets in the House

• If your child already has pet allergies, your doctor may advise you to give your pet up. However, some allergic children can successfully live with pets if their allergies are not severe. Allergy symptoms can be minimized by frequently bathing pets, investing in smooth flooring and furniture that can be easily cleaned, and installing HEPA air filters throughout the house. The pet should be kept out of the allergic child's bedroom, and the house should be cleaned frequently to reduce the amount of dander.