Asthmatic with a pet? Study says you might be able to keep it Asthma is a common chronic respiratory illness that is thought to affect about 235 million people around the world. Despite being a treatable condition with a low mortality rate compared to other long-term conditions, symptoms can strongly affect the quality of the lives of people living with it, so identifying triggers and managing them is key.

Research conducted by the Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the United States concluded that people who manage their asthma according to National Asthma Education and Prevention Program’s (NAEPP) EPR-3 guidelines may not have to get rid of their cats or dogs after all. The study found that factors such as keeping cats or dogs as pets and secondhand smoke do not have a significant impact on the general improvement of asthma patients’ health over time if their condition is properly managed.

 

Study details

The researchers followed 395 children ages two to 17 in a pediatric asthma centre who were diagnosed with uncontrolled asthma. During the study, the children received care for their condition in line with EPR-3 guidelines and had visited the centre every three to six months. During those visits, their families completed questionnaires that addressed their care needs, symptoms, as well as an asthma control test. The children’s asthma control was also evaluated while they were in the centre.

55 per cent of the children assessed were exposed to a cat or dog at home, whereas 25 per cent were exposed to secondhand tobacco smoke. The researchers compared the results of patients exposed to these environmental factors at home throughout the study with those who weren’t exposed to them and found that all patients’ symptoms improved when receiving care regardless of exposure.

These findings are thought to suggest that when it comes to asthma management, treatment has a more significant effect on patient outcomes than potential environmental triggers. So your furry friend might not be such a problem after all!

Asthma management tips for pet owners

To help you make your home more asthma-friendly, we’ve gathered for you some tips by Asthma UK that can help make things easier for you if you live with a pet and your symptoms are triggered by a pet allergy:

– Try to keep pets out of the bedroom and if you can, the living room.

– Give your pets regular baths and get in touch with your vet for grooming advice.

– Get someone else to clean out the cages, if you have any. Asthma UK recommends having a cage for your pet to limit its movement around the house.

– Air filters and good vacuum cleaners can help, but the jury is out on whether they really do benefit people with pet allergies.

As with any health condition, it’s important to work with your doctor to find out what’s best for you and your lifestyle. So get clued up and find out what you need to do to live your happiest, healthiest life with your loved ones – furry or not.

By Tesneem Ayoub

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181004112610.htm
2. http://www.who.int/respiratory/asthma/en/
3. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/guidelines-for-diagnosis-management-of-asthma