More than 8 percent of children in the U.S. currently have asthma. Did you know early exposure to some allergens may reduce a child’s asthma risk?

The ongoing The Urban Environment and Childhood Asthma study (URECA) found a link between early exposure to pet and pest allergens and reduced asthma risk. More than 400 newborns were watched from birth until 7 years old. These children lived in four cities in the U.S. and had a high risk of developing asthma. At least one parent had to be diagnosed with asthma or allergies for the child to be in this study.

Experts looked at the effect of the following pest and pet allergens in the children’s homes:

• Cockroaches
• Mice
• Cats
• Dogs
  
  

The study found exposure to high levels of these four pest and pet allergens by 3 months old reduced the children’s risk of getting asthma.

But if asthma and allergies to pests and pets develop, you should help your child avoid these allergens as much as possible. You should also take steps to keep them under control in your home. 

These findings will help uncover information about how early-life factors affect a child’s health. It may also help experts to develop ways to prevent childhood asthma.