Pet Allergies

Pet Allergies is a very common type of allergy to have. It is even more common to have the very pet that a family member is allergic to. My family falls into this category.

We've had dogs long before our son became allergic to them. Getting rid of our dogs would be like getting rid of our son… it is not an option. Our pets are apart of our family and we have a responsibility to them.

Through a lot of research, learning, and some lifestyle changes, we have all learned to co-exist together.

Pet Allergies is classified as perennial allergic rhinitis because the symptoms are experienced all year long. It is second only to dust mite allergies when causing indoor allergies.

It is very common for people to have pet allergies. Cat allergies are more common than dog allergies and the cat protein is a more potent one.

The Allergen Causing Pet Allergies

The allergen that causes the hay fever like symptoms is a protein found in the dander (skin flakes), the saliva, and the urine. It is not the hair or fur itself, although the fur does collect and hold the allergen.

The protein is deposited onto the fur by the pet licking themselves. There is no relationship between the length of the coat hair and the quantity and potency of the allergen. Longer coat hair will collect more of the pet allergen along with pollen, mold spores, and other dust components.

The pet allergen protein comes from the glands in the skin so the fur and hair does not play a role in the production of the symptom causing agent.

The pet allergen is very sticky. When it comes to controlling the allergen through a clean environment, this allergen is very hard to keep up with. It will stick to walls, curtains, bedding, furniture, and just about anything else.

Cleaning becomes more important and more of an effort since it is needed more often.

Particle Size
Of all the allergens that cause hay fever, pet allergens are one of the smallest in size. Cat allergens, for example, measure to about 2.5 to 16 microns. As a frame of reference, ragweed measures to around 17-22 microns. The human eye can see down to about 100 microns which is roughly the size of the human hair. The smaller the particle size:

• The easier it is to become airborne
• The longer it will stay airborne
• The better chance of getting past the nose and further into the respiratory airways

Becoming Airborne
There are many ways for this potent allergen to become airborne. At such a small size, simply walking on the carpet, making the bed and other normal household activities will propel the dried protein into the air.

A non-HEPA vacuum cannot trap such small particles and the exhaust of the vacuum sends the allergens back into the air.

As the saliva on the fur dries (from the pet licking themselves), it flakes off and becomes airborne due to its small size and weight. Grooming or petting the animal will also send the allergen into the air.

Dogs seem to scratch themselves more than cats and that activity contributes to allergens being put into the air. On the other hand, cats lick themselves more than dogs and that puts a higher quantity and a more potent allergen into the air.

What is Pet Allergies?

Having pet allergies means that your immune system erroneously looks at a harmless substance, such as the protein found in animal dander, saliva and urine, and considers it to be harmful. The immune system jumps into action to protect itself.

After the immune system has identified the pet protein as the enemy, the allergic reaction begins producing an army of IgE antibody molecules that will do the fighting. These IgE antibodies are very specific and made to attack the specific pet allergen. If you are allergic to other allergens, you will have other IgE antibodies specific for those allergens.

When the army of IgE antibodies detects the presence of the animal protein, it launches an attack by activating the mast cells (tissue cells) and basophil cells (blood cells). These cells burst open, releasing histamine and other inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals that are released during the allergic reaction are the body’s defense system for keeping out harmful substances.

The difference between people who have pet allergies and those who do not is the type and amount of IgE antibodies in their blood system.

Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms for pet allergies will vary from person to person. It depends on how severe your allergies are. The symptoms produced are a result of the release of histamine and the other inflammatory chemicals.

The symptoms are the immune systems way of preventing more particles from entering and expelling the particles that have already entered into the body. These symptoms may include;

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny Nose
• Nasal Congestion
• Watery, Teary Eyes and Red Eyes
• Itchiness
• Wheezing
• Scratchy Throat

Some people may experience these symptoms immediately and others may experience a delayed response. For those who have asthma, these symptoms may be more severe and troublesome.

Hypoallergenic Pets

The term hypoallergenic is sometimes a misunderstood word. Many people mistakenly take it to mean allergen-free. The prefix hypo means "below normal."

Dogs and cats labeled as hypoallergenic still produce allergens but are claimed to cause fewer allergic reactions. For allergy suffers, this might allow them to have a pet where they otherwise could not.

There are many different kinds of hypoallergenic pets (below normal-allergenic) to consider but there are no "non-allergenic" breeds of cats or dogs.

Who Is At Risk To Develop Allergies?

People at any age can develop pet allergies. My son developed his allergy after years of us having our dogs. It is not completely understood why some people develop pet allergies and others do not. Two contributing factors in the development of allergies are your family genetics and history and the environment in which you live.

Genetics gives you the tendency to have allergies but it does not dictate which allergy you might develop. A parent can be allergic to tree pollen while the child develops an allergy to mold. What you inherit is the likelihood to have allergies.

The environment in which you grew up in and currently live can play a role. Exposure to allergens and indoor air pollution can increase the likelihood of developing allergies. Exposure to a lot of irritants and allergens can stimulate the immune system to produce more than normal amounts of IgE antibodies. More IgE antibodies make you more sensitive to allergens.

Treatment

The first step to treatment is to always consult with your health care physician if you suspect that you might have pet allergies. Giving you a physical, discussing your family history and genetics, and a discussion about when your symptoms occur can determine if a skin test is required. Upon the findings of the test, drugs, immunotherapy and/or avoidance may be a recommended choice of action.

Drugs

Antihistamines are available over-the-counter and by prescription. Most often, they are used for mild to moderate symptoms. Prescription antihistamines are usually longer acting.

The first generation of antihistamines usually have more side effects and drowsiness. As a result, they are cheaper. The second generation of antihistamines has been improved and cause less side effects. They are longer acting and as a result, more expensive.

Antihistamines work on preventing the inflammatory chemicals from being released from the mast cells. They also block the receptor sites so that the histamine that is released cannot produce the symptoms.

Decongestants are also available over-the-counter and by prescription. The purpose of a decongestant is to reduce nasal congestion. A decongestant dries up the fluid in the nose. It prevents more fluid from entering by shrinking the blood vessels in your nose.

Decongestants do a good job at improving the symptoms but they do not address the cause. They provide only short term relief.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy may work well for those who suffer from allergies where drugs do not provide the relief that they are looking for. It is often used for those who suffer from symptoms all year long.

Immunotherapy works on the same principle as the flu shot. By injecting a small dose of the allergen, the body can develop a tolerance for it.

The objective to immunotherapy is to reduce the symptoms by becoming less sensitive to the allergen. A less sensitive person will have less IgE antibodies in the blood system waiting for an attack. Immunotherapy can be an effective treatment but it is not a cure. It can also take years to obtain the results that improve the quality of life.

Avoidance

Avoidance and using environmental controls should always be the first choice of action to prevent allergic reactions to pet dander. The alternative does little more than to suppress the symptoms that develop.

We clean our house a lot better and more often since our son developed an allergy to our dogs. We incorporate avoidance but also use environmental controls such a vacuum with a HEPA filter and an air purifier. Since my wife and kids are also allergic to pollen and mold, this approach helps them to manage their total allergen load. The cleaning gets all the allergens and not just the pet dander.

To learn more about what you can try, read the article Pet Allergy Avoidance Tips. I am sure you'll find it beneficial if you try a combination of approaches that is right for your situation.

To learn more, read the article Pet Allergies by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Go to the nasal allergies home page.

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