How to Decrease the Risk of Allergies in Infants

The incidence of allergies has been on the rise in recent decades. In fact, one in five children show some degree of allergy by the time they’re 20. Allergic reactions range from the annoying (think sniffling and sneezing) to the fatal (full blown anaphylactic shock), and are caused by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. This means that while there are certain things we have no control over, there are steps we can take to help reduce the risk of allergies, particularly in infants. Here are some possibilities.

Get some pets!

The notion that exposing children to pets at a young age can lead to allergies used to be widely accepted. New research shows, however, that the opposite seems to be true. Several studies have shown that babies who grow up in households with dogs and cats have a significantly decreased chance of developing allergies as they get older. While this information is highly valuable to parents considering whether or not pets are a good idea, the unfortunate truth is that allergies are largely genetic, meaning that if a parent has an allergy to cats or dogs, they’re not going to want to have one in the house. However, if you’re a non-allergic animal lover, take comfort in the fact you’re doing your baby a favor by having pets around.

Breastfeeding

Another way to help prevent allergies in your baby is breastfeeding. Studies have shown that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 4-6 months of life are less likely to develop atopic (allergy-related) diseases, including eczema, asthma, and food allergies. This finding is especially important for “high-risk” babies, those who come from families with a history of allergies. So, if you or anyone in your family has problems with allergies, make sure to breastfeed your baby to help keep them allergy-free in the future!

Stop Secondhand Smoke

We all know smoking cigarettes is heinous for your health, but it’s not only smokers who experience the negative impacts of smoking. The secondhand smoke that cigarettes inflict on the world has serious health consequences for everyone, especially children. Studies have shown a clear link between secondhand smoke and asthma in young people, and thousands of infants are hospitalized every year with lung infections relating to cigarette smoke exposure. Parents who smoke put their kids at risk for lifelong diseases, including allergies, so if you’re a smoker, quit now. If you don’t smoke, make sure to keep your kids away from secondhand smoke as much as possible, which is becoming easier as more and more states pass laws banning smoking in public places.

If your kid does develop an allergy, don’t despair. Because the incidence of allergies is increasing at such an alarming rate, the research going into allergy treatment is expanding too. Your best bet is to look for a specialist who focuses on your child’s particular allergy. For example, respiratory therapists focus on illnesses affecting the lungs, including asthma. With their extensive knowledge of respiratory care options, they can help your kid effectively manage his/her symptoms and live a healthy, happy life.

Madeline Marshall grew up playing outdoors in the mountains of Northern California around many household pets and in a non-smoking family. She has no allergies!

 

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