Crescere i children in a house where he is a cat present it is beautiful: a source of stimulation, well-being, happiness. That’s how it is, at least until that first typical cough. The topic is controversial, among the most debated in pediatric medicine: what effect does it have presence of a cat in the house on the health of children with asthma and allergies? To try to clarify, here comes a new study published on Frontiers in Allergywhich analyzes the relationship between exposure to cats and the development of asthma and allergies in childhood.
The research was coordinated by Resthie R. Putri of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and represents one of the most extensive analyzes ever carried out on the topic. The authors examined data from 30,277 Swedish children aged 4 to 17 diagnosed with asthma and respiratory allergy, followed for two years through national health registers.
Living with a cat does not worsen children’s asthma: the study that dispels the cliché
The answer, at least according to the data collected by the authors, is surprising. In children who already live with asthma and allergic diseases, Having a cat in the house was not associated with worsening asthma. The researchers observed no significant differences in disease severity, symptom control, flare-ups or lung function between those who lived with a cat and those who did not.
Respiratory allergies, with or without cats
For years the advice of removing the cat from the home environment was almost automatic in the presence of respiratory problems. This is because Feline allergens are known to cause reactions in sensitized people.
The study suggests that the relationship between pets and allergies is less linear than believed. The researchers compared several indicators of the disease, including the number of exacerbations, asthma severity, symptom control and lung function. The results showed no significant differences between children exposed to cats and those who did not live with pets. Moderate or severe asthma was observed in 9.6% of children who lived with a cat and in 10.1% of those not exposed. Disease flare-ups also occurred at very similar frequencies: 3.3% versus 3.5%.
The mere presence of the cat is not decisive
This does not mean that the cat is harmless to everyone or that thecat allergy doesn’t exist. Rather, it means that the presence of the animal alone may not be the decisive factor in determining the progress of asthma.
According to the authors, in fact, many other elements come into play: individual predispositionthe type of allergic sensitization, the child’s clinical history and the set of environmental exposures that characterize daily life.
The benefits of living with a pet on the immune system
The research also opens up broader reflection. Today cat allergens are present far beyond the homes in which they live: they are found in schools, public transport and many shared environments. In other words, exposure can happen even without owning a cat.
Furthermore, some studies (like this one appeared on the pages of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) suggest that stable and continuous coexistence with the cat could help mitigate the risk of developing theasthma. Others (like this one, published on Plos) That pets are an excellent training ground for the immune systemreducing the risk of various allergic phenomena. These are hypotheses that are still being studied, but which contribute to making the picture more complex.
What parents can do
The message that emerges from the research is above all an invitation to overcome simplifications. When faced with a child with asthma or allergies, there are no one-size-fits-all rules. Rather than pointing the finger at the cat, experts suggest evaluating the individual case with the support of the allergist and pediatrician, considering the clinical history, diagnostic tests and actual sensitization to allergens. Because, as this study shows, the presence of a cat in the home alone does not tell the whole story.