An Allergy Cure In Cats?

Recent findings in America suggest that "having a cat in the house with children may help prevent them developing asthma". The researchers studied the effects on the immune system of 200 children between the ages of 12 and 14 when exposed to cats.

The results showed that those with a strong immune system did not suffer allergic side effects such as skin rashes or asthma. It concluded that a "modified response" to cats was a form of immunotherapy - ie stimulating the immune system would "train" it to accept allergic substances.

The Lancet however reported that introducing a pet could be risky if a child already has asthma since the animal could aggravate the disease.

Friday, 30 March 2001