Can Babies Really Get Allergies?

Interestingly enough, babies are not very likely to develop an allergy to the family pet. In fact, recent studies have shown that infants and babies who grow up around a dog or a cat are far less likely to contract allergies to these animals later in life. After one year of age, however, there seemed to be little difference; just one more reason to allow the baby exposure to the pet. It is thought that such early exposure to pet allergens and their related bacteria can strengthen the baby’s immune system, and allow the child to become naturally immune.

While babies aren’t as prone to getting allergies as older children or adults, they can indeed suffer from them. If you suspect your child has an allergy, record the symptoms, and discuss them with your doctor. If you suspect they’re having an allergic reaction to something they ate, call your doctor right away.

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Gardner, A. (2011, June 13). Living with pets may protect infants from allergies . Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/13/pets.infants.allergies/index.html

Food allergies. (2011, April). Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/0_food-allergies_12409.bc

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