Pet Allergies
Allergies to pets with fur are common, especially among people who have other allergies or asthma, and cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies. People with pet allergies can react to harmless proteins in the pet’s urine, saliva or dander. Pet hair is not an allergen, but it can collect dander, urine and saliva, and it can also carry other allergens like dust and pollen.
Pet allergens are everywhere and can even be found in homes and other places that have never housed pets. This is because people can carry pet allergens on their clothing. Pet allergens can also get into the air when an animal is petted or groomed. Pet allergens can also be stirred into the air where the allergens have settled. This can happen during dusting, vacuuming or other household activities. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods.
Is There Such a Thing as a Hypoallergenic Pet?
No. While poodles, Portuguese water dogs and certain other breeds (including several types of terriers) have a reputation for being hypoallergenic, a truly allergy-free breed does not exist.
What are the Symptoms of Pet Allergies?
Pet allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Facial pain caused by nasal congestion
- Coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing
- Watery, red or itchy eyes
- Hives
Cat Allergies
A cat allergy can contribute to constant allergic symptoms since exposure can occur at work, school, day care or in other indoor environments, even if a cat is not present since cats produce multiple allergens (proteins that can cause allergy). These allergens are found on the fur and skin and in saliva. All cats produce allergens, and homes with more than one cat have higher levels of cat allergens. Characteristics such as the length of a cat’s hair, its sex and the amount of time a cat spends indoors are not associated with cat allergen levels.
Cat Allergy Symptoms
Cat allergy symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on an individual’s sensitivity and the level of exposure to allergens. Those variables may also influence how quickly symptoms develop after exposure. Highly sensitive people can develop symptoms, including breathing problems or a rash, within minutes of touching a cat or entering a house with a cat. Some people may also develop a rash or hives after being scratched by a cat.
Diagnosing Cat Allergies
A skin-prick test is the most common way of diagnosing a cat allergy. For this test, a small amount of an extract of cat allergen is placed on your skin. Your skin is then pricked with a small, sterile probe, allowing the liquid to seep under the skin’s surface. You’ll then be monitored for swelling and redness or other signs of a reaction, signaling an allergy. Results typically become evident within 15 to 20 minutes.
Dog Allergy
If your nose runs or you start sneezing and wheezing after petting or playing with a dog, you may be allergic to dogs. Dogs produce multiple allergens, or proteins that can cause allergy. These allergens are found in dog hair, dander, saliva and urine. Dog allergen levels increase if the dog lives indoors and are higher in the rooms where a dog is allowed.
Diagnosing Dog Allergies
A skin-prick test is the most common way of diagnosing a dog allergy. For this test, a small amount of an extract of dog allergen is placed on your skin. Your skin is then pricked with a small, sterile probe, allowing the liquid to seep under the skin’s surface. You’ll then be monitored for swelling and redness or other signs of a reaction, signaling an allergy. Results typically become evident within 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you’re sure your symptoms are caused by a dog, it’s a good idea to be tested, since the symptoms may actually be caused by other environmental exposures.
Pet Allergy Management and Treatment
Avoidance is the best way to manage a pet allergy. If you have a dog or a cat and are allergic to them, consider removing them from the home.
If you have a dog or cat but don’t want to find it a new home, or if your family wants a dog or cat even though someone in the household is allergic, here are some strategies that may help keep symptoms at bay:
- Keep your pet out of your bedroom and restrict it to only a few rooms. Be advised that keeping your pet in only one room will not limit the allergens to that room.
- Don’t pet, hug or kiss your pet, but if you do, wash your hands with soap and water.
- High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners 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 reduce pet allergen levels.
- Giving your pet a bath at least once a week can reduce airborne cat allergen.
At the Sinus Institute of Atlanta, Dr. Sinha can help determine what treatment would be best to treat your pet allergy. Nasal symptoms often are treated with steroid nasal sprays, oral antihistamines or other oral medications. Eye symptoms are often treated with antihistamine eyedrops. Respiratory or asthma symptoms can be treated with inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators to either prevent or relieve respiratory symptoms.
Immunotherapy (allergy shots) are also an effective treatment of allergies by building tolerance over time through gradually injecting increasing doses of an allergen.