Dr Bernadette Carr answers your questions on how getting a cat can affect asthma

I am thinking of getting a kitten but am concerned there is a risk that it might cause my son’s asthma to return. He finished using his inhalers a year ago.

Your child may not be sensitised to cat hair and if so will not likely develop a reaction to the cat. However, if cat or animal hair has been one of your child’s triggers in the past, it may be a good idea to discuss the issue with your GP.

Asthma is a reversible condition of the airways which results in periodic wheezing and difficulty in breathing. It may be associated with eczema and allergies and may run in families. It cannot reliably be diagnosed clinically until the age of two years old. Some children may need inhalers while they are young but many will ‘grow out of’ their need for them.