How do you know you have pet allergies? Pet allergies are caused by animals that have fur. In the case of your eyes water or nose run or you start sneezing. This all indicates that you have a pet allergy. Pet allergy can contribute to constant allergy symptoms. It was reported that 62% of US households have pets. Over 161 million of these pets are cats and dogs.
Most of the times, pet allergy is triggered by the contact with dead flakes of skin a pet sheds and is attached to their fur. Most commonly pet allergy is associated with cats and dogs.
Symptoms of Pet Allergies
The pet allergies symptoms are caused by inflammation of nasal passages comprises of:
- Runny nose
- Post nasal drip
- Itchy, red and watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Cough
- The swollen and blue-colored skin under the eyes.
- Facial pressure and pain
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent awakening
In case the pet allergy contributes to asthma, you might experience:
- Chest tightness or pain
- Audible whistling sound when exhaling
- Having difficulty in breathing
- Trouble sleeping because of shortness of breath or coughing.
Skin Symptoms
Sometimes people who suffer from pet allergy may experience skin symptoms. It is known as allergic dermatitis, it is an immune system reaction that causes skin inflammation. Some of the signs are:
- Eczema
- Itchy skin
- Hives
Cats and Dogs
Allergens from dogs and cats are present in the skin cells the animals shed, dander. Along with this, it is also present in their saliva, urine, and sweat. The main problem is dander as it can be in the air for longer periods of time. This can be collected in the furniture and might stick to your clothes. Moreover, the pet saliva can stick to bedding, furniture, clothing and even on carpet.
Rabbits and Rodents
Rodent pets have allergens in their hair, saliva, urine, and dander. The dust from litter at the end of cages may contribute to airborne allergens. Rodent pets include:
- Gerbils
- Guinea pigs
- Mice
- Hamsters.
On the other hand, rabbit allergens can be found in hair, saliva, and dander.
Treatment and Management
Here are some management and treatment for pet allergies.
- You must avoid being near dogs, and cats. In case you have a pet at home, you can limit your exposure. When you limit your exposure, you may have less allergic reactions.
- You can consider taking allergy shots if the allergy symptoms are severe.
- It is better to use nasal sprays, bronchodilators, and antihistamines in order to help relief the symptoms.
For the nasal irritation, you can use a saline solution. You can make it yourself at home easily. You will need water that is contaminant free, sterile or previously boiled and cooled. Add a small quantity of salt in it and have a device that has a small pore size.
You must limit your contact with animals with fur for reducing the allergic reaction. With the help of medications, you can relieve the symptoms of allergy and manage asthma.
DISCLAIMER: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.