Curb the rise in childhood allergies
The Sussex NHS Trust has highlighted that allergies in childhood are on the increase in the county with cases resulting in hospitalisation increasing by 6% in the last 10 years. Given that many cases may be caused by a reaction to animals, a local veterinary surgery wants to clear up a common misunderstanding whilst, at the same time, offering a solution to allergies to pets.
Many people believe that the allergic properties of animals stems from the fur. However, Arthur Lodge Veterinary Surgery in Horsham suggests that, for the majority of animals, this simply isn’t the case.
Owner of Arthur Lodge, Julian Peters, commented: “It is a common misconception that the allergy is caused by a pet’s fur, whereas it is often the result of the animal’s skin secretions, including dander and saliva. Chinchillas, although not a particularly common pet, can be ideal for children with allergies as they do not have dander on their skin yet are still cute and cuddly. For most families, it may simply a matter of researching the best pet for their child’s allergies and most vets will be happy to offer advice.”
Other animals commonly purchased to avoid allergies include reptiles and fish for their obvious lack of fur and dander. Whilst cats and dogs are the most popular choice of pet, they are often associated with allergy in children. Despite this, there are low-allergen breeds of dog available, including poodles, schnauzers and labradoodles. With regard to cats, females are said to shed fewer allergens than males and good breeds include Balinese and Siberian.
A few tips on keeping the home as dander-free as possible include:
- Wash or brush animals regularly
- Keep animals out of the child’s room
- Do not allow pets to jump on the furniture
- Use an air cleaner for at least 4 hours a day
- Vacuum regularly
- Cover litter boxes and place in an isolated area.