Allergy to animals

This type of allergy is very common today; especially in westernized countries where having domestic pets has become very common.

Pets are the main cause of animal allergy but some people can get sensitised to animals they come in contact with at work or at school. Most people think that the allergy is caused by animal fur. In fact, it is mainly animal secretions which contaminate the fur that are the allergenic substance. The most important sources of animal allergens are:

• Saliva (cat, dog, horse, etc)
• Urine (cat, dog, mice, guinea-pigs, rats, rabbits etc.)
• Serum (part of the blood – this is mainly important for people working in animal laboratories where they regularly come in contact with animal blood)
• Skin cells/scales
• Excrement (mainly in birds)

Exposure to animal allergens can occur through direct contact with animal fur or secretions or through breathing in particles of dust containing dried animal droppings. 

Symptoms: Allergy to animals is expressed mainly as asthma, rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Less often, animal allergens may cause eczema or contact urticaria or even anaphylaxis.

The initial treatment is to try to avoid the allergen. Unlike other kind of allergies, complete allergen avoidance can be achieved if the animal is removed from the house. This can be an emotionally difficult decision. However, you must realise that the choice is between keeping your pet and preserving your health (if you keep your pet, your symptoms might worsen even if you follow the most potent anti-allergic treatment). 

If it is difficult to part with your pet, you must atleast try to keep it out of your bedroom and bathe it regularly (weekly) to reduce the amount of allergen it produces.