No harm in exposing your toddlers to pets, germs – Know why

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New Delhi: Are you wary of exposing your toddler to pets and germs, afraid that they will catch an infection, allergy or become prone to other health problems? Don't be.

As per a study, allowing your kids to go near pets and germs early in their life, can reduce their risk of developing asthma later.

Previous studies have shown that reducing allergen exposure in homes help control the condition when it is already established in patients.

The new finding suggests that exposure to the allergens early on in life has a preventive effect on the condition.

According to the study, coming in contact with felines, mice and cockroaches as early as the age of three months, lower chances of developing asthma by the time children are seven-years-old.

Exposure to certain bacteria around the house – mainly those found in house dust – during infancy, was also associated with a reduced risk.

According to the Deccan Chronicle, the ongoing Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma Study, funded by NIH found higher concentrations of cockroach, mouse and cat allergens present in dust samples collected from children's homes during first three years of life were linked to a lower risk of asthma by age seven.

They found an association with dog allergen as well, but it was not statistically significant, according to the researchers.

The report added that further study showed that exposure to higher levels of all four allergens at age three months was associated with lower risk of developing asthma.

The findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.