Pet allergy: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

A pet allergy is an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal’s skin cells, saliva, or urine. Signs of a pet allergy include common signs of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), such as sneezing and runny nose. Some people may also have signs of asthma, such as wheezing or shortness of breath.

Exposure to dead dander (dander) from a pet typically triggers this type of allergy. Although any animal that has hair can cause this type of allergy, in most cases this allergy is associated with dogs and cats.

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

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pet allergy caused by inflammation of the nasal passages include: Cold sneezing; Red, watery, or itchy eyes Stuffy nose Itchy nose, roof of mouth, or throat Postnasal discharge Cough Facial pain and pressure Frequent awakenings Bluish, swollen skin under the eyes For a child, frequently rub the nose upwards

If your pet allergy is contributing to your asthma, you may also experience the following: Shortness of breath Chest pain or pressure Ringing or wheezing that may be heard when exhaling Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing

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 inflammation of the skin. Direct contact with an allergic animal can trigger allergic dermatitis and cause signs and symptoms such as: red, raised patches on the skin (hives) eczema itchy skin

When should you see a doctor?

Some signs and symptoms of a pet allergy, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are similar to those of the common cold. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have a cold or an allergy. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, you may have an allergy.

Pet allergies are a common condition. However, you are more likely to develop a pet allergy if there is a history of asthma in your family.

Contact with pets at an early age can be helpful in preventing these kinds of allergies. In some studies, it has been observed that children who live with a dog during the first year of life may develop greater resistance to upper respiratory tract infections than children who do not have a dog at this age.

Diagnostic

Your doctor might suspect a pet allergy based on your symptoms, an examination of your nose, and the answers to your questions. You can use a lighted instrument to examine the condition of the lining of your nose. If you have a pet allergy, the lining of your nasal passages may be swollen or pale, or have a bluish color.

Allergy skin tests

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

In this test, small amounts of purified allergen extracts, including animal protein extracts, are extracted from the surface of the skin. This is normally done on the forearm, but can be done on the upper back.

The doctor or nurse examines the skin for signs of allergic reactions after 15 minutes. If you are allergic to cats, for example, an itchy red bump will develop where the cat extract was placed on the skin. The most common side effects of these skin tests are itching and redness. These side effects usually disappear within 30 minutes.

Blood test

The first line of treatment for controlling a pet allergy is to avoid the animals that cause the allergy as much as possible. When you minimize exposure to pet allergens, allergic reactions should generally become less frequent or less severe.

It is often difficult, if not impossible, to completely eliminate exposure to pet allergens. Even if you don’t have a pet, you can unexpectedly find allergens carried on other people’s clothes.

Additionally, to avoid pet allergens, you may need medication to control symptoms.

anti allergen

Your doctor may ask you to take one of the following medicines to improve nasal allergy symptoms:

The bone antihistamines They reduce the production of an immune system chemical that is active in an allergic reaction and help relieve itching, sneezing and runny nose.

Prescription antihistamines given by nasal spray include azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase). Some of the over-the-counter antihistamine tablets include fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), and cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy); there are antihistamine syrups over the counter available for children. Other options are prescription antihistamine tablets such as levocetirizine (Xyzal) and desloratadine (Clarinex). corticosteroids administered as a nasal spray can reduce inflammation and control symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Some of these drugs are fluticasone propionate (Flonase Allergy Relief), mometasone furoate (Nasonex), triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR), and ciclesonide (Omnaris). Nasal corticosteroids provide a low dose of medication and have a much lower risk of side effects than oral corticosteroids.

decongestants They can help reduce swollen tissue in the nasal passages and make it easier to breathe through your nose. Some over-the-counter allergy pills combine an antihistamine with a decongestant.

Oral decongestants can raise blood pressure, and you generally shouldn’t take them if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or cardiovascular disease. Ask your doctor if it is safe to take a decongestant.

Over-the-counter decongestants given by nasal spray can briefly reduce allergy symptoms. Using a decongestant spray for more than three consecutive days can contribute to congestion.

Leukotriene modifiers they block the action of certain chemicals in the immune system. If corticosteroid nasal sprays or antihistamines aren’t good options for you, your doctor may prescribe montelukast (Singulair), a prescription tablet.

Possible side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and fever. Less common side effects include mood and behavior changes, such as anxiety or depression.

other treatments

Immunotherapy. You can “train” the immune system not to be sensitive to an allergen. Immunotherapy is given through a series of allergy shots.

With 1-2 injections per week, you are exposed to very small doses of the allergen, in this case the animal protein that causes an allergic reaction. The dose is increased gradually, usually over a period of 4 to 6 months.

Maintenance vaccinations are required every four weeks for 3 to 5 years. Immunotherapy is generally used when other simple treatments are not satisfactory.

nasal irrigation. You can use a specially designed rhinocorner or squeeze bottle to expel thick, irritating mucus from the sinuses with a salt water (saline) rinse.

If you prepare the saline solution yourself, use water that is free of contaminants (distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cold, or filtered through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or less). Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with contaminant-free water and allow it to air dry.