Pet allergy

Pet allergy

overview

Pet allergy is an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal's skin cells, saliva, or urine. Signs of pet allergy include those common with hay fever, such as sneezing and a runny nose. Some people may also experience signs of asthma such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Most often, pet allergies are triggered by contact with a pet's dead skin (dander). Any animal with fur can be a source of pet allergy, but pet allergies are most commonly associated with cats and dogs.

If you have a pet allergy, the best strategy is to avoid or reduce contact with the animal as much as possible. Medication or other treatments may be necessary to relieve symptoms and treat asthma.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pet allergy caused by inflammation of the nasal passages include:

• Niesen
• Laufende Nase
• Juckende, rote oder tränende Augen
• Verstopfte Nase
• Juckende Nase, Gaumen oder Rachen
• Postnasaler Tropf
• Husten
• Gesichtsdruck und Schmerzen
• Häufiges Erwachen
• Geschwollene, blau gefärbte Haut unter den Augen
• Bei einem Kind häufiges Reiben der Nase nach oben

If your pet allergy contributes to asthma, you may also experience:

• Schwierigkeiten beim Atmen
• Engegefühl oder Schmerzen in der Brust
• Hörbares Pfeifen oder Keuchen beim Ausatmen
• Schlafstörungen durch Kurzatmigkeit, Husten oder Keuchen

Skin symptoms

Some people with pet allergies may also experience skin symptoms, a pattern known as allergic dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is an immune system reaction that causes skin inflammation. Direct contact with an allergy-causing pet can trigger allergic dermatitis and cause signs and symptoms such as:

• Erhabene, rote Hautflecken (Quaddeln)
• Ekzem
• Juckende Haut

When to go to the doctor?

Some signs and symptoms of pet allergies, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are similar to those of a cold. Sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a cold or an allergy. If symptoms last longer than two weeks, you may have an allergy.

If your signs and symptoms are severe - nasal passages feeling completely blocked and difficulty sleeping or wheezing - call your doctor. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath worsens quickly or if you feel short of breath with minimal activity.

Causes

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, mold or animal hair.

Your immune system produces proteins known as antibodies. These antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause an infection. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify your particular allergen as something harmful even though it is not.

When you breathe in or come into contact with the allergen, your immune system reacts and creates an inflammatory response in your nasal passages or lungs. Prolonged or regular exposure to the allergen can cause the persistent (chronic) airway inflammation associated with asthma.

Cats and dogs

Allergens from cats and dogs are found in the animals' skin cells (dander), as well as in their saliva, urine and sweat, and on their fur. Dander is a particular problem because it is very small and can remain suspended in the air for long periods of time with the least amount of air circulation. It also easily collects in upholstered furniture and sticks to your clothing.

Pet saliva can stick to carpets, bedding, furniture and clothing. Dried saliva can become airborne.

So-called hypoallergenic cats and dogs may shed less fur than furry types, but no breed is truly hypoallergenic.

rodents and rabbits

Rodents include mice, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs. Rodent allergens are usually present in hair, dander, saliva and urine. Dust from bedding or sawdust on the floor of cages can contribute to airborne allergens from rodents.

Rabbit allergens are present in dander, hair and saliva.

Other pets

Pet allergy is rarely caused by animals without fur, such as fish and reptiles.

Risk factors

Pet allergies are common. However, you are more likely to develop a pet allergy if allergies or asthma run in your family.

Exposure to pets at an early age can help you avoid pet allergies. Some studies have found that children who live with a dog during the first year of life may have better resistance to childhood upper respiratory tract infections than children who do not have a dog at that age.

Complications

Sinus infection

Persistent (chronic) inflammation of the tissues in the nasal passages caused by pet allergies can block the cavities that connect to your nasal passages (sinuses). These obstructions can make you more likely to get bacterial sinus infections, such as: B. sinusitis develop.

asthma

People with asthma and pet allergies often have difficulty managing asthma symptoms. You may experience asthma attacks that require immediate medical treatment or emergency care.

prevention

If you don't have a pet but are considering adopting or purchasing one, make sure you don't have any pet allergies before making the commitment.

Sources:

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