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Pets and the development of allergic sensitization.
Simpson A, Custovic A
Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2005;5( 3):212-20.
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Abstract
Sensitization to pets remains a risk factor for asthma and rhinitis, and can occur in people who have never lived with a pet.Several reports have indicated that living with a pet reduces the risk forbecoming sensitized to that pet. Having a pet in the home gives exposureto more than just allergens. In areas with high frequency of petownership, community exposure to pet allergens is almost certainlysufficient to induce sensitization among non-pet owners. In this review,we examine the results of recent studies that have investigated therelationship between pet ownership, specific sensitization to that pet,and allergic sensitization in general. For cat ownership, the results areinconsistent between studies of similar design, with some studiessuggesting an increase in risk and others a decrease among cat owners. Fordogs, results are more consistent, generally suggesting that owning a doghas no effect or indeed may be protective against the development ofspecific sensitization to dog and allergic sensitization ingeneral.