[JeanLynn81]

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/dogs-re...29091309990001

A new German research study shows that having a dog in the house with an infant reduces the childs chances of developing allergies in the future. It says "pets" so I wonder if that includes cats? We have a cat, and Alyssa has no allergies so far!

Has anyone found this to be true?

[Guccichic]

I don't hink it is really true for us. we had a dog until my son was about 21/2 -3 and he has allergies, food he is even allergic to other dogs. I never had a problem with mine but when he goes to a house that has a dog there is always a problem

[anderlin]

It's a school of thought, one I believe in, a child's exposure to allergins, bacteria, colds, etc at an early age helps educate the child's immune system. Conversely, disinfecting the home to protect the child has the opposite effect.

[Paul79SoFL]

My parents always had a cat when I was growing up and then I made them get me a dog when we moved to Florida at age 10.

All these years I've never been allergic. I've worked at a vet's office, and at the humane society.

I've lived without pets for a few years and now when I go back to visit my parent's house, my nose gets all stuffed up and my eyes itch.

I thought that all of my exposure to pets with no allergy symptoms meant that I wasn't going to have any problems the rest of my life, but I guess I was wrong.