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Pet Allergy
"An estimated 10 percent of the population may be allergic to animals. A
higher rate of 20 percent to 30 percent of individuals with asthma have
pet allergies.
Pets can cause problems to allergic patients in several ways. Their
dander, or skin flakes, as well as their saliva and urine, can cause an
allergic reaction. The animal hair is not considered to be a very
significant allergen. However, the hair or fur can collect pollen, dust,
mold and other allergens."
Reference: "Pet
Allergy", Medical Library © Copyright 2000 American College of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Pet Allergy
Animal Allergy
"Many people are allergic to animals. Most people are not allergic
to the animal's fur or feathers. The allergy is more usually an immune
reaction to a protein (an allergen) found in the saliva, dander
(dead skin flakes) or the urine of an animal. The
gets carried in the air or in
on very small, invisible particles. It then lands on the lining
of the eyes (conjunctiva) and nose. It may also be inhaled directly into
the lungs, causing allergic symptoms. Allergen contact with an allergic
person's skin may also cause itching and
."
Reference: "Pet
Allergy - Animal Allergy",
Allergy Glossary
HON Foundation (Health On the Net Foundation)
Pet
Allergies: Four-Legged and Feathered Friends
Conflicting information about pet allergies generates a
great deal of confusion among animal lovers. Perhaps
because of our love for our furry friends, many myths have
been generated about pet dander, hypoallergenic dogs and
hypoallergenic cats.
Often people don't want to hear the most basic fact about
pet allergens: the best way to avoid the allergy is to
remove the allergen from the household. If you can't bear
to part with your furry friend, however, you can employ
several methods to minimize the allergic symptoms.
Pet Dander, Urine and Saliva
A commonly held belief is that people with animal
allergies are allergic to fur or feathers. This isn't
usually true. Instead, oil secretions in the animal’s skin
accounts for most cat and dog allergies. The oil is
transferred to your environment (and your respiratory
passages) by dander, or dead skin that flakes off your
pet's body. If you'd like a more detailed explanation of
pet dander, check out
Pets in the News.
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Allergy-Preventing Pets?
There may be no such thing as
hypoallergenic dogs, but recent
research suggests that living with
animals as children may actually
protect against pet allergies: at
least for the first six years of life.
Studies indicate that children who
live with pets from birth on may
develop less severe allergies than
children who are isolated from animals
in their early years. The theory
requires more research, but indicates
that exposure to pets isn't
necessarily a bad thing! |
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Other people are allergic to animal saliva. The dog or cat
cleans itself, and saliva proteins stick to its skin and
fur. This explains, in part, why cat allergies are more
common than dog allergies: cats groom themselves more
frequently than dogs. Cats also tend to be held more than
dogs, and their smaller size means they're typically kept
in the house more often. Animal urine also contains
allergy-causing proteins. As the urine dries, particles
become airborne, and can travel throughout the house.
Hypoallergenic Dogs,
Hypoallergenic Cats
Because most people aren't actually allergic to animal
fur, claims that shorthaired breeds cause fewer allergies
aren't really true. Fur length has nothing to do with the
amount of dander an animal sheds. Different animals shed
at different rates. If you suffer from dog or cat
allergies, but are planning on bringing a pet into your
home, try to spend some time with the individual animal
first. Certainly determine how your allergies react to the
pet before you bring it home.
Shorthaired breeds may cause less severe allergic
reactions than longhaired breeds if you react solely to
animal saliva, but reactions vary from one individual to
another. Lists of breeds commonly considered to cause the
fewest or mildest allergies are given below:
"Hypoallergenic" Cats
Balinese
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
Javanese
Oriental Shorthair
Peter bald (aka Oriental Hairless)
Siamese
Sphinx
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"Hypoallergenic" Dogs
Poodle
Italian Greyhound
Whippet
Basenji
Mexican Hairless
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Other Animals
If you can't live with your dog or cat allergies, you
might consider a rodent or a bird. Guinea pigs, hamsters
and other rodents are popular choices, but people can
develop allergies to them, especially to their urine.
Birds can also cause allergies: either through airborne
particles of droppings, or the fine dust or "bloom" that
covers their feathers. In fact, allergic reactions amongst
racing pigeon breeders have given rise to the term "Pigeon
Fancier’s Lung."
In short, any type of animal has the potential to trigger
an allergic reaction. What affects one person may not
affect you. If you have any concerns about possible
allergies, try to spend some extended time with the animal
before bringing it home.
Reducing Allergies
If you can't bear to part with a cherished friend,
there are some strategies you can use to minimize allergy
symptoms. None work as well as removing the animal from
the house, but may provide you with enough relief that you
don't have to get rid of him:
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Keep
Rover out of the bedroom.
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When
possible, keep Fluffy off the furniture.
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Use air purifiers in the bedroom to reduce airborne animal
proteins
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Groom
and wash the animal weekly. If possible, have another
member of
the household do this.
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Keep
Fifi away from your face whenever possible.
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Wash
your hands and face after playing with her.
If possible, replace carpet with hardwood flooring or
linoleum: pet dander can be trapped for up to six weeks in
carpet or upholstered furniture. If you do end up having
to remove the animals from your house, don't expect
immediate relief: the allergens may remain in the home for
up to six months.
SOURCE
Since one of the most common cores of allergy, asthma and
sinusitis is fungal infections,
as well as polyps, reflux disease and bacteria, you
have to make sure that your home and real estate is free from
molds and mildew, which later may develop into molds, and prevent
any of their future growth.
-
To eliminate molds and mildew from your home, office
or other real estate and property, follow the suggestions of the book Do It Yourself
Mold Prevention, Mold Inspection, Testing, & Remediation.
For more info, please visit: Mold
Book.
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To
visit the best internet mold website, please visit:
Mold Inspector.
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To find a
Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Mold Remediator or
Certified
Mold Contractor
in your area, please visit:
Certified Mold Inspector.
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To find services of a mold lawyer or a
mold attorney,
please visit
Mold Lawyer.
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