My nine-month-old grandson seems to have a touch of eczema. In doing some research, I came across a potentially useful article in Canadian Healthcare Network. A large European study led by Dr. Sara Brown from the University of Edinburgh found that having a dog in early life may reduce the risk of developing eczema, especially in children with a genetic predisposition to the condition. Eczema, or atopic eczema (AE), affects about 20% of children and 10% of adults, and its rising rates suggest environmental factors play a big role.

The research combined genetic data with environmental exposures in nearly 280,000 people, focusing on 24 key eczema-related genes. The study tested how these genes interact with early-life factors like pet ownership, having older siblings, breastfeeding, antibiotic use, and more.

The most significant finding was that early exposure to dogs seemed to “switch off” a high-risk eczema gene in some children, reducing their chances of developing the condition. This interaction was stronger than those found with other factors like cats or siblings.

While owning a dog isn’t a treatment for existing eczema, this research suggests a possible way to prevent the condition in genetically at-risk children. It supports the evolving “hygiene hypothesis,” which proposes that early microbial exposure (like from pets) helps train the immune system and may protect against allergies and skin conditions.

I’ve been around dogs most of my life and they have made me feel better. While they may not be a cure, it turns out man’s best friend could also be baby’s best defense—against eczema, at least.

By Diane Alavie, BSc.Phm