What is pet allergy

Almost 62% of U.S. households have pets, and more than 161 million of these pets are cats and dogs. Unfortunately, millions of pet owners have an allergy (allergic rhinitis) to their animals and aggravate asthma symptoms (such as wheezing and difficulty breathing) in some people. Pet allergies are caused by protein found in the animal’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva or urine. Also, pet hair or fur can collect pollen, mold spores and other outdoor allergens. For birds, many people are allergic to the excreta.

Most often, pet allergy is triggered by exposure to the dead flakes of skin (dander) a pet sheds. The proteins from pets are carried on microscopic particles through the air. When inhaled, they trigger reactions in allergic people. As all dogs and cats possess these proteins, none of them is allergy-free. Though some breeds are considered more allergy-friendly, it is likely because they are groomed more frequently, a process that removes much of the dander. It is a common misconception that people are allergic to a dog or cat’s hair, and it is falsely believed that an animal that sheds less will not cause a reaction.

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

Cat Allergies

The main source of cat allergen is in the sebaceous glands in the cat’s skin.

Cats often lick themselves and as the main source of cat allergen is in the sebaceous glands, the licking helps spread the allergen. Cat allergen is sticky and glues itself to hairs, dust particles (forming a persistent aerosol) and all parts of the home. As all cats have sebaceous glands, all cat breeds can potentially cause allergies.

Even after removal of the pet, cat allergen can remain distributed throughout the home for up to 6 months and in the cat’s bedding for up to 4 years. The allergen is so pervasive that it can even be measured in the homes of non-pet owners and on the clothing of co-workers who don’t have pets. Cat allergen has even been detected in the Antarctic, even though cats have never been there.

Dog Allergies

In dogs the main source of allergen is saliva

As the main source of dog allergen is saliva, dander (shed skin particles) and hair can both help spread the allergen. Therefore all breeds of dog can potentially cause allergies, although some may not shed as much hair and dander (and therefore allergen) as others.

Pet allergy symptoms

Pet allergy symptoms appear during or shortly after exposure to the animal. These symptoms may linger long after the animal is gone. This is because the dander remains in the air, on furniture or on your clothing.

Allergies to other animals

Although not as common as cat and dog allergy, allergies to other animals including horses, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are important. Transmission of these allergens on clothes and other items may be sufficient to trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma.

Pet allergy signs and symptoms caused by inflammation of nasal passages include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain
• Frequent awakening
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
• In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose

If you are exposed to a pet on a long-term basis, you may have more chronic symptoms such as ongoing nasal congestion and not the sudden symptoms seen with short-term exposure, making it appear as if the pet is not causing you problems.

Additionally, contact with a pet may trigger skin allergy symptoms including itchy skin or raised, red patches (hives). Pets can also trigger asthma symptoms, causing wheezing, difficulty breathing or chest tightness.

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

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness or pain
• Audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

Skin symptoms

Some people with pet allergy 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 may trigger allergic dermatitis, causing signs and symptoms, such as:

• Raised, red patches of skin (hives)
• Eczema
• Itchy skin

Causes for pet allergies

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

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 isn’t.

When you inhale the allergen or come into contact with it, your immune system responds and produces an inflammatory response in your nasal passages or lungs. Prolonged or regular exposure to the allergen can cause the ongoing (chronic) airway inflammation associated with asthma.

Cats and dogs allergy

Allergens from cats and dogs are found in skin cells the animals shed (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 airborne for long periods of time with the slightest bit of air circulation. It also collects easily in upholstered furniture and sticks to your clothes.

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 shedding types, but no breed is truly hypoallergenic.

Rodents and rabbits allergy

Rodent pets include mice, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs. Allergens from rodents are usually present in hair, dander, saliva and urine. Dust from litter or sawdust in the bottom of cages may contribute to airborne allergens from rodents.

Rabbit allergens are present in dander, hair and saliva.

Other pets

Pet allergy is rarely caused by animals that don’t have fur, such as fish and reptiles.

Risk factors for pet allergies

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

Being exposed to pets at an early age may help you avoid pet allergies. Some studies have found that children who live with a dog in the first year of life may have better resistance to upper respiratory infections during childhood than kids who don’t have a dog at that age.

Complications of pet allergies

Sinus infections

Ongoing (chronic) inflammation of tissues in the nasal passages caused by pet allergy can obstruct the hollow cavities connected to your nasal passages (sinuses). These obstructions may make you more likely to develop bacterial infections of the sinuses, such as sinusitis.

Asthma

People with asthma and pet allergy often have difficulty managing asthma symptoms. They may be at risk of asthma attacks that require immediate medical treatment or emergency care.

Prevention of pet allergies

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

Changes that are simple to implement and have been proven to be effective are as follows:

• do not bring a furred pet into the home
• find an existing pet a new home
• do not smoke, as exposure to environmental smoke makes a range of allergies (including pet allergies) more likely to develop.

Changes that are difficult to implement or have not yet been proven are as follows:

• restrict the pet to one area
• keep the pet out of the patient’s bedroom
• use high efficiency air cleaners, either central or portable
• remove carpet or other reservoirs for allergens in the bedroom
• wash pets weekly.

Diagnosis of pet allergies

Your doctor may suspect a pet allergy based on symptoms, an examination of your nose, and your answers to his or her questions. He or she may use a lighted instrument to look at the condition of the lining of your nose. If you have a pet allergy, the lining of the nasal passage may be swollen or appear pale or bluish.

It is important to note that up to 50% of people who are allergic to animals do not get immediate symptoms. If there is some doubt as to whether or a pet (your’s or someone else’s) is causing your allergy symptoms, your doctor can confirm your suspicion using skin prick tests or allergen specific IgE (RAST) allergy tests. You may be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist for allergy testing.

In children a negative allergy test does not mean that a child won’t become allergic to pets later.

Some studies have suggested that increased exposure to cats and dogs may be associated with reduced sensitization and allergic disease, whilst other studies have found that increased exposure is associated with increased sensitivity. It should however be clarified that in people with established allergic disease who are already sensitized to animals, avoidance is well documented to prevent or reduce symptoms.

Allergy skin test

Your doctor may suggest an allergy skin test to determine exactly what you’re allergic to. You may be referred to an allergy specialist (allergist) for this test.

In this test, tiny amounts of purified allergen extracts — including extracts with animal proteins — are pricked into your skin’s surface. This is usually carried out on the forearm, but it may be done on the upper back.

Your doctor or nurse observes your skin for signs of allergic reactions after 15 minutes. If you’re allergic to cats, for example, you’ll develop a red, itchy bump where the cat extract was pricked into your skin. The most common side effects of these skin tests are itching and redness. These side effects usually go away within 30 minutes.

Blood test

In some cases, a skin test can’t be performed because of the presence of a skin condition or because of interactions with certain medications. As an alternative, your doctor may order a blood test that screens your blood for specific allergy-causing antibodies to various common allergens, including various animals. This test may also indicate how sensitive you are to an allergen.

Pet allergy treatment

The first line of treatment for controlling pet allergy is avoiding the allergy-causing animal as much as possible. When you minimize your exposure to pet allergens, you generally should expect to have allergic reactions that are less often or less severe.

It’s often difficult or impossible to eliminate completely your exposure to animal allergens. Even if you don’t have a pet, you may unexpectedly encounter pet allergens transported on other people’s clothes.

In addition to avoiding pet allergens, you may need medications to control symptoms.

Allergy medications

Your doctor may direct you to take one of the following medications to improve nasal allergy symptoms:

• Antihistamines reduce the production of an immune system chemical that is active in an allergic reaction, and they help relieve itching, sneezing and runny nose. Prescription antihistamines taken as a nasal spray include azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase). Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine tablets include fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert) and cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy); OTC antihistamine syrups are available for children. Prescription antihistamine tablets, such as levocetirizine (Xyzal) and desloratadine (Clarinex), are other options.

• Corticosteroids delivered as a nasal spray can reduce inflammation and control symptoms of hay fever. These drugs include (Flonase Allergy Relief), mometasone furoate (Nasonex), triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24-Hour) and ciclesonide (Omnaris). Nasal corticosteroids provide a low dose of the drug and have a much lower risk of side effects than do oral corticosteroids.

• Decongestants can help shrink swollen tissues in your nasal passages and make it easier to breathe through your nose. Some over-the-counter allergy tablets combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Oral decongestants can increase blood pressure and generally shouldn’t be taken if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma or cardiovascular disease. Talk to your doctor about whether you can safely take a decongestant. Over-the-counter decongestants taken as a nasal spray may briefly reduce allergy symptoms. If you use a decongestant spray for more than three days in a row, it can contribute to congestion.

• Leukotriene modifiers block the action of certain immune system chemicals. Your doctor may prescribe montelukast (Singulair), a prescription tablet, if corticosteroid nasal sprays or antihistamines are not good options for you. Possible side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory infection, headache and fever. Less common side effects include behavior or mood changes, such as anxiousness or depression.

Pet allergy shots

Immunotherapy. You can “train” your immune system not to be sensitive to an allergen. This is done through a series of allergy shots called immunotherapy.

One to two weekly shots expose you to very small doses of the allergen, in this case, the animal protein that causes an allergic reaction. The dose is gradually increased, usually during a four- to six-month period.

Maintenance shots are needed every four weeks for three to five years. Immunotherapy is usually used when other simple treatments aren’t satisfactory.

Other treatments

Nasal irrigation. You can use a neti pot or a specially designed squeeze bottle to flush thickened mucus and irritants from your sinuses with a prepared saltwater (saline) rinse.

If you’re preparing the saline solution yourself, use water that’s contaminant-free — distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered with a filter that has an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller. Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with contaminant-free water, and leave open to air-dry.

Home remedies

Avoiding exposure to pets is the best remedy for pet allergy. For many people that doesn’t sound like a good option, because family members are often very attached to their pets. Talk to your doctor about whether reducing exposure to your pet, rather than finding a new home for your pet, may be sufficient for managing your pet allergy.

If you find a new home for your pet

If you do find a new home for your pet, your allergy symptoms won’t disappear immediately. Even after a thorough cleaning, your house may have significant levels of pet allergens for several weeks or months. The following steps can help lower pet allergen levels in a newly pet-free home:

• Clean. Have someone without pet allergies clean the entire house, including a thorough washing of the ceilings and walls.
• Replace or move upholstered furniture. Replace upholstered furniture if possible, as cleaning won’t remove all pet allergens from upholstery. Move upholstered furniture from your bedroom into another area of your home.
• Replace carpets. If possible, replace carpeting, particularly in your bedroom.
• Replace bedding. Replace sheets, blankets and other bedcovers, because it’s difficult to wash away pet allergens completely. Replace bed pillows. If you can’t replace your mattress and box spring, encase them in allergen-blocking covers.
• Use high-efficiency filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for your air ducts may trap allergens in the air, and HEPA vacuum bags may reduce the amount of dander rustled up by your cleaning. HEPA air purifiers also may reduce airborne pet allergens.

If you keep your pet

If you keep your pet, you can help minimize the allergens in your home with these tips:

• Try not to hug and kiss pets if you are allergic to them.
• Bathe your pet frequently. Ask a family member or friend without allergies to bathe your pet on a weekly basis.
• Establish a pet-free zone. Make certain rooms in your house, such as your bedroom, pet-free zones to reduce allergen levels in those rooms.
• Remove carpeting and dander-attracting furnishings. If possible, replace wall-to-wall carpeting with tile, wood, linoleum or vinyl flooring that won’t harbor pet allergens as easily. Consider replacing other allergen-attracting furnishings, such as upholstered furniture, curtains and horizontal blinds.
• Enlist help. When it comes time to clean your pet’s kennel, litter box or cage, ask a family member or friend who doesn’t have pet allergies to do the work.
• Use a double or micro-filter bag in the vacuum to reduce the amount of pet allergen present in carpeting that leaks back into the room air.
• Use high-efficiency filters. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) air purifiers and vent filters may help reduce airborne pet allergens.
• Keep your pet outside. If your pet can live comfortably outside, you can reduce the amount of allergens in your home. This option isn’t appropriate for many pets or in certain climates.

Keeping animals outside is only a temporary solution, since pet dander will eventually make its way indoors as it is carried on clothing.

When all else fails, it may be necessary to find a new home for the pet. Then it may take six months or more after the pet is gone to completely get rid of the dander.