Tag Archives: eczema

Study Reveals How Having a Dog May Lower Baby’s Eczema Risk

Posted on July 13, 2025 | Leave a comment

New research explores how having a dog around during baby’s first year may help reduce skin inflammation on a molecular level.

Atopic eczema is a chronic, usually hereditary, inflammatory skin condition that affects almost 20 percent of babies. Though common and treatable, eczema is often itchy and irritating, with American parents spending thousands of dollars on creams, ointments and other treatments for baby every year. But what if you could lower baby’s risk of developing eczema just by bringing a furry friend into your home?

A new study from the University of Edinburgh explored how various environmental factors—from breastfeeding and smoking to pet ownership and hygiene habits—might influence a baby’s risk of developing eczema. Researchers tested for interactions between the 24 most significant eczema-associated genetic variants and 18 early-life environmental factors during pregnancy and the child’s first year.

Looking at the DNA of over 250,000 people, researchers found that a specific genetic variant linked to a higher risk of eczema was significantly impacted by dog ownership. In babies with this gene, exposure to a dog during their first year of life appeared to nearly eliminate their risk of developing eczema.

To figure out how this worked, researchers dug deeper and found that the gene in question is linked to a protein called IL-7R, which plays a role in immune function and skin inflammation. In lab tests, when skin cells with this variant were exposed to molecules from dogs—like tiny particles from their fur or skin—those signals, which might normally trigger allergies, actually helped calm inflammation.

“The most difficult questions I’m asked by parents in clinic are about why their child has eczema, and how they can help. We know that genetic make-up affects a child’s risk of developing eczema and previous studies have shown that owning a pet dog may be protective, but this is the first study to show how this may occur at a molecular level,” Sara Brown, a professor at the University of Edinburgh Institute of Genetics and Cancer and one of the study’s authors said in a press release. “More work is needed, but our findings mean we have a chance to intervene in the rise of allergic disease, to protect future generations.”

The study also noted a similar protective effect in young children with older siblings, though more research is needed to confirm that link. Scientists believe that early exposure to a wide variety of bacteria—whether through pets or siblings—may be part of what’s helping to train the immune system in a protective way.

Researchers believe that by looking at things on a molecular level, they may be able to help pinpoint exactly what exposures might be helpful to baby. “This study sheds light on why some children develop eczema in response to environmental exposures while others don’t,” added the study’s lead author, Marie Standl, PhD. “Not every preventive measure works for everyone – and that’s precisely why gene–environment studies are crucial. They help us move toward more personalized, effective prevention strategies.”

This isn’t the first time dog ownership has been praised for its benefits to baby’s health. Other studies have linked having a dog to a lower risk of obesity, fewer allergies and even stronger immune function. See five science-backed ways dogs can benefit baby and tips to help your pet bond with baby.

Source: Thebump.com

Dogs May Protect Against Childhood Eczema and Asthma

Posted on October 28, 2017 | Leave a comment

Two studies presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting show there may be even more reason to love your dog.

The first study shows babies born in a home with a dog during pregnancy receive protection from allergic eczema, though the protective effect goes down by age 10. A second study shows dogs may provide a protective effect against asthma, even in children allergic to dogs.

pregnant woman with dog

“Although eczema is commonly found in infants, many people don’t know there is a progression from eczema to food allergies to nasal allergies and asthma,” says allergist Gagandeep Cheema, MD, ACAAI member and lead author. “We wanted to know if there was a protective effect in having a dog that slowed down that progress.”

The study examined mother-child pairs exposed to a dog. “Exposure” was defined as keeping one or more dogs indoors for at least one hour daily. “We found a mother’s exposure to dogs before the birth of a child is significantly associated with lower risk of eczema by age 2 years, but this protective effect goes down at age 10,” says allergist Edward M. Zoratti, MD, ACAAI member and a study co-author.

In the second study, researchers examined the effects of two different types of dog exposure on children with asthma in Baltimore. The first type was the protein, or allergen, that affects children who are allergic to dogs. The second type were elements, such as bacteria, that a dog might carry. The researchers concluded that exposure to the elements that dogs carry may have a protective effect against asthma symptoms. But exposure to the allergen may result in more asthma symptoms among urban children with dog allergy.

“Among urban children with asthma who were allergic to dogs, spending time with a dog might be associated with two different effects,” says Po-Yang Tsou, MD, MPH, lead author. “There seems to be a protective effect on asthma of non-allergen dog-associated exposures, and a harmful effect of allergen exposure.” The researchers believe that a child’s contact with factors other than dog allergen, such as bacteria or other unknown factors, may provide the protective effect. “However, dog allergen exposure remains a major concern for kids who are allergic to dogs,” says Dr. Tsou.

People with dog allergy should work with their allergist to reduce exposure. ACAAI has additional tips for those with dog allergy who keep a dog in the home:

Keep your dog out of your bedroom and restrict it to only a few rooms. But know that keeping the dog in only one room will not limit the allergens to that room.
After you pet or hug your dog, wash your hands with soap and water.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners that run continuously in a bedroom or living room can reduce allergen levels over time. Regular use of a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum can also reduce allergen levels.
Giving your dog a bath at least once a week can reduce airborne dog allergen.

Abstract Title: Effect of Prenatal Dog Exposure on Eczema Development in Early and Late Childhood.
Author: Gagandeep Cheema, MD

Abstract Title: The Effect of Animal Exposures on Asthma Morbidity Independent of Allergen Among Inner-city Asthmatic Children.
Author: Po-Yang Tsou, MD, MPH

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology media release

Researchers identify gene associated with eczema in dogs

Posted on May 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

A novel gene associated with canine atopic dermatitis has been identified by a team of researchers led by professors Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, Uppsala University and Åke Hedhammar, SLU, Sweden. The gene encodes a protein called plakophilin 2, which is crucial for the formation and proper functioning of the skin structure, suggesting an aberrant skin barrier as a potential risk factor for atopic dermatitis.

Details appear in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is an inflammatory, relapsing non-contagious skin disease affecting about 3-10 percent of dogs. The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis becomes easily irritated by various allergens such as certain types of food, pollens or house mites. Such irritation causes very strong itching which leads to scratching, redness and flaky skin that becomes vulnerable to bacterial and yeast infections.

Despite many scientific efforts, little has been known about the genetics of the disease. In their study, researchers from Uppsala University, SLU and Broad Institute, compared DNA samples from a large group of German shepherd dogs affected by atopic dermatitis with DNA coming from healthy dogs to reveal the specific DNA segment associated with the disease.

“With the help of pet owners, we have managed to collect a unique set of DNA samples from sick and healthy dogs which allowed us to gain insight into atopic dermatitis genetics,” said first author Katarina Tengvall, Uppsala University.

Purebred dogs such as German shepherds have been selected for specific physical features for several generations. Selection led to an inadvertent enrichment for disease-risk genes in certain breeds. Moreover, the resulting architecture of canine DNA makes it easier to pinpoint segments that carry these disease risk-genes. This helped the researchers to reveal the genetics of atopic dermatitis. They found a region associated with the atopic dermatitis containing the gene PKP-2, which encodes Plakophilin-2, a protein involved in the formation and maintaining of the proper skin structure.

“The finding that certain variants of the PKP-2 gene may increase the risk of developing the disease opens new possibilities in understanding the disease mechanism leading to atopic dermatitis,” continues Katarina Tengvall.

These findings will not only lead to better understanding of the disease, which may lead to better treatment strategies long term. It also opens up the possibilities of development of a genetic test for the disease.

“Our study suggests that plakophilin-2 and an intact skin barrier is important to avoid atopic dermatitis”, says senior author, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, professor at Uppsala University and Director of SciLifeLab Uppsala. “Another gene involved in the skin barrier has recently been linked to human atopic dermatitis emphasizing the similarity between canine and human atopic dermatitis” said Kerstin Lindblad-Toh.

Source: AlphaGalileo Foundation media statement