Dog Allergy in Children: A Single-Centered Study

Dogs are among the most commonly allergenic pets for children. Data on risk factors for the development of dog allergy are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of children with dog allergy and identify predictors of symptom development with dog exposure.

The study included children with dog allergen sensitization demonstrated by skin prick test (SPT) between September 1, 2019, and December 1, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from the patients' records and interviews with parents.

Dog allergen sensitization was detected by SPT in 548 (5.5%) of 9,907 patients. Of these, 507 patients had complete data and were included in the analysis. The patients' median age was 11 (IQR: 8-15) years, 55.8% were male, 97.6% exhibited polysensitization (pollen 75.1%, cat 69.6%), 83.6% had allergic rhinitis, and 46.2% had asthma. Acute dog exposure caused symptoms in 164 patients (32.3%), most commonly sneezing (n = 97) and nasal symptoms (n = 80). Predictors of acute symptoms in dog-sensitized children were male sex (OR: 0.584 [CI: 0.38-0.87]), dog exposure before 1 year of age (OR: 2.35 [CI: 1.18-4.66]), close contact with a dog owner (OR: 2.93 [CI: 1.78-4.8]), and cat allergy (OR: 2.75 [CI: 1.82-4.1]).

Approximately one-third of children with dog sensitization developed symptoms after exposure to the dog. Male sex, direct dog exposure before the age of one, close contact with a dog owner, and cat allergy were identified as predictors of dog allergy.