A pet allergy is a hypersensitivity to proteins (allergens) derived from pets. The proteins can come from the dander, hair, saliva, or urine of the animal. pet allergies in Louisville KY are common in the eyes and the respiratory tract of humans.
What are animal proteins?
Animal proteins, which are utterly harmless to non-allergic persons, cause an allergic reaction in affected people. This takes place mainly near the mucous membranes of the eye, nose, throat, and on the skin. The tendency to hypersensitivity is often hereditary.
Even if a person does not have pets, they can quickly come into contact with their proteins. People carry these allergens with them as soon as they come into contact with animals. In public places, such as kindergartens, schools or buses, high concentrations of allergens can be detected.
Most common are cat and dog allergies. There are also pet allergies in Louisville KY to rodents such as rats, mice, guinea pigs or hamsters as well as to small birds, poultry, horses and cows.
What are the symptoms of a pet allergy?
Contact with pets or items containing pet dander may cause the following reactions:
- Sneezing
- A runny nose
- Itching and watery eyes
- Difficulty breathing or asthma
- Eczema
- Hives
Diagnosing a pet allergy
It is often sufficient to tell the doctor when, where and how the symptoms arose. Through skin tests and a blood test, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis. If you are prone to allergic reactions, you should not keep pets indoors or in the immediate vicinity. The removal of an already held pet to prevent the development of a pet allergy, however, is not necessary.
Very thorough hygiene after contact with animals
Patients with pet allergies who do not keep pets themselves should wash their hands after contact with animals. Children with animal hair allergies should not sit next to pet owners or children of pet owners at school. Pre-planned visits to pet-friendly homes can often be helped by the preventive use of a so-called antihistamine.
If the allergy develops after the purchase of a pet, the animal should be removed from the living area – if possible. Contact us for more information.
