People can become allergic to pets because of proteins
from animal hair, urine or saliva. Pets which can cause
allergies are dogs, cats, chicken, mice, rats, cows, horses,
hamsters, guinea pig and birds. Allergic reaction can attack the
respiratory system, eyes which can result in hay fever,
urticaria, asthmatic symptoms, eye symptoms or eczema.
Hay fever makes the patient develop itchy eyes, runny nose and
sneezes. Asthmatic symptoms are wheezing, prolonged expiration,
rapid breathing, over inflated chest, and fast heart rate.
Urticaria, nettle rash, hives or uredo is a skin condition where
the skin develops raised red welts. They can appear on any part
of the body. The welt can badly itch, burn or even sting. Eye
symptoms include watering and itching of the eyes. Eczema or
atopic dermatitis is an atopic skin disease. Young children are
more prone to getting this disease. The skin becomes
hypersensitive when the allergens touch the body parts and
becomes flaky and starts itching very badly. It also turns red
and can also get further affected with bacteria.
Allergens from pets are proteins. They either contact the skin
directly or also by breathing in. This contact triggers an
allergic reaction and makes the body to produce histamine. This
histamine irritates and swells the airways, which results in
asthmatic symptoms and hay fever. The condition can worsen if
the person is exposed to tobacco smoke, polluted air, car fumes
or environmental allergens. Some people can also be allergic to
the food the pet eats. The allergy worsens when asthma worsens;
symptoms include insomnia, cold, and ear infections.
The allergens come from direct contact with an animal, or even
from people who have been in direct contact with the animal. In
most of the cases, people are allergic to pet because of
hereditary reasons. Also kids having asthmatic bronchitis and
which grow with pets such as cats are more prone to be allergic
to cats as adults. Furless cats produce low allergens.
People allergic to pets should be extra careful when renting a
new house. There can be a possibility that the previous
occupants have had pets. The allergens present in the
environment can trigger allergic reactions and it will take more
than a year to reduce the effect of the pet allergens. If a
person suspects allergic reactions because of pet allergens,
they can test it by staying away from home for more than two
weeks. If the symptoms still continue, pet allergens aren’t
responsible. Also a doctor should be contacted immediately who
can conduct test and diagnose the condition. Blood and skin
tests should be taken to confirm the diagnosis. The doctor can
then prescribe medicine for controlling the allergy. Patients
can also take vaccination against the allergen.
Pet owners should also participate to help other people with pet
allergies. They should bathe their pets regularly. They should
be dried completely after that. Researches have proved that
monthly baths decreases the pet allergens in the house. Guinea
pigs and rabbits have allergens in their urine. These animals
should be shifted outside, if they have been living within the
house. Anti-allergen filters are also available in the market
which helps to purify the air of allergens. Pets should be
strictly kept out of bedrooms so as to not to be become pet
allergen carriers, pet owner’s can wash their hands soon after
contact with the animal.