ALLERGIES TO ANIMALS & PETS
WHAT IS A CAT ALLERGY? WHAT IS A DOG ALLERGY?
Patients with allergic reactions to dogs and cats are actually allergic to their saliva. When an animal grooms itself, it licks its skin and fur, thereby depositing its saliva. The saliva dries, leaving behind the proteins that trigger your allergic reactions, causing symptoms of allergies. These symptoms include itchy, watery, and red eyes, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and coughing. These saliva antigens that cause allergic reactions become airborne very easily because they are light-weight. Therefore, they easily spread to clothing, carpeting, and other household items.
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Dog allergies are usually not as problematic as a cat allergy for the following reasons:
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Dogs are regularly washed (with water, not saliva!)
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Dogs are often kept outdoors
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Owners are less likely to let dogs sleep on the owners’ bed
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The best way to cure your allergic reactions is to remove allergenic animals from your home. Unfortunately, even after removal of these allergy triggers, traces of the antigens will stay in the house. To really rid the house of pet allergens, thoroughly clean or replace carpeting, clothing, and furniture.
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If removing the animal is not an option, over the counter allergy medications can be used to treat your symptoms. Another effective treatment is allergy immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) which can be used to reduce a person’s sensitivity to the triggers that are causing their allergy symptoms. Your allergist will use testing to confirm what is causing your allergy symptoms. This allergy testing will help your allergist determine which allergy treatments would be best for you.​
HORSE ALLERGY
A horse allergy is an allergic reaction to horse dander and hair. Patients may mistake an allergy to horses as a typical outdoor allergy, a hay allergy, mold allergy, or seasonal pollen allergy. Treatment for allergy to horses would include horse avoidance, allergy medications, and/or allergy immunotherapy. Your allergist can help determine what allergy treatment is right for you.
RODENTS & RABBITS
Patients may have allergic reactions to rabbits and rodents (guinea pigs, mice, and rats) if they are exposed to these animals on a daily basis. Those at highest risk are pet owners, veterinarians, and laboratory technicians. People that live or work in rodent-infested buildings are also at a high risk. The actual cause of the allergic reaction may be the animal’s saliva, fur, or urine. Treatment starts with ridding the home of any rodent pests, or considering removing any rodent or rabbit pets. If these measures are ineffective, your allergist may consider treating you with allergy meds or allergy shots.
If you get contact dermatitis after wearing or touching leather, you might have a leather allergy. Patients with this allergy are most likely allergic to dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a chemical used in the leather tanning process. DMF is used for its antifungal properties and has been known to cause many skin reactions. While symptoms of this allergy aren’t usually severe, they can be painful if not treated immediately.
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Learn more about Leather Allergy
SUMMARY
If you need help with your allergies to animals and pets, Dr. Tamayev is here to help. Dr. T can help you find relief for your respiratory allergies, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) symptoms, skin conditions, and asthma. Book online using the button below!
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