Pet Allergy
Pet allergy is an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal’s skin cells, saliva or urine. Symptoms of pet allergy include those common to hay fever, such as sneezing and runny nose. Some people also may experience symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Pet allergy is usually brought on by exposure to the dead flakes of skin shed by animals, called dander. Any animal with fur can be a source of pet allergy. The most common pet allergies are associated with cats and dogs.
If you have a pet allergy, the best strategy is to avoid or limit exposure to the animal as much as possible. Medicines or other treatments may be necessary to relieve symptoms and manage asthma.
Pet allergy symptoms typically include:
- Sneezing.
- Runny nose.
- Itchy, red or watery eyes.
- Nasal congestion.
- Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.
- Postnasal drip.
- Cough.
- Facial pressure and pain.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Swollen, discolored skin under the eyes.
- In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose.
If your pet allergy contributes to asthma, you also may experience:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest tightness or pain.
- Whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling.
- Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing.
Skin symptoms
Some people with pet allergy also may have skin symptoms, a pattern known as allergic dermatitis. This type of dermatitis is an immune system reaction that causes skin swelling and irritation. Direct contact with an allergy-causing pet may trigger allergic dermatitis, causing symptoms, such as:
- Raised, discolored patches of skin called hives.
- Eczema.
- Itchy skin.
When to see a doctor
If your symptoms are severe — with nasal passages feeling completely blocked, wheezing and difficulty sleeping — call a healthcare professional. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath quickly gets worse. Also seek care if you are short of breath with minimal activity.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance such as pollen, mold or pet dander.
Your immune system makes proteins known as antibodies. These antibodies protect you from unwanted invaders that could make you sick or cause an infection. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify your allergen as something harmful, even though it isn’t.
When you come in contact with the allergen, your immune system responds and causes swelling in your nasal passages or lungs. Exposure to the allergen can cause the long-lasting airway swelling associated with asthma.
Cats and dogs
Allergens from cats and dogs are found in their dander, saliva, urine and sweat and on their fur. Dander is a particular problem because it is very small. It can remain airborne for long periods of time with the slightest bit of air circulation. It also collects easily in upholstered furniture and sticks to your clothes.
Pet saliva can stick to carpets, bedding, furniture and clothing. Dried saliva can become airborne.
So-called hypoallergenic cats and dogs may shed less fur than shedding types, but no breed is truly hypoallergenic.
Rodents and rabbits
Rodent pets include mice, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs. Allergens from rodents are usually present in hair, dander, saliva and urine. Dust from litter or sawdust in the bottom of cages may contribute to airborne allergens from rodents.
Rabbit allergens are present in dander, hair and saliva.
Other pets
Pet allergy is rarely caused by animals that don’t have fur, such as fish and reptiles.
Pet allergies are common. However, you’re more likely to develop a pet allergy if allergies or asthma runs in your family.
Exposure to pets at an early age may help you avoid pet allergies. Some studies have found that children who live with a dog in the first year of life may have better resistance to allergies during childhood than kids who don’t have a dog at that age.
If you don’t have a pet but are considering adopting or buying one, make sure you don’t have pet allergies before making the commitment.
Sinus infections
Pet allergy can cause ongoing swelling in your nose that may block your sinuses. These blockages may make you more likely to develop bacterial infections of the sinuses, such as sinusitis.
Asthma
People with asthma and pet allergy sometimes have a hard time managing asthma symptoms. They may be at risk of asthma attacks that require urgent medical treatment or emergency care.
A healthcare professional may suspect a pet allergy based on symptoms, an examination of your nose and your answers to questions. A lighted instrument may be used to look at the condition of the lining of your nose. If you have a pet allergy, the lining of the nose may be swollen or appear pale or discolored.
Allergy skin test
A healthcare professional may suggest an allergy skin test to find out exactly what you’re allergic to. You may be referred to an allergy specialist for this test.
In this test, tiny amounts of purified allergen extracts, including extracts with animal proteins, are pricked into your skin’s surface. This is usually carried out on the forearm, but it may be done on the upper back.
A health professional checks your skin for signs of allergic reactions after 15 minutes. If you’re allergic to cats, for example, you’ll develop a discolored, itchy bump where the cat extract was pricked into your skin. The most common side effects of these skin tests are itching and changes in skin color. These side effects usually go away within 30 minutes.
Blood test
In some cases, a skin test can’t be done if you have a skin condition or are on certain medicines. Instead, a healthcare professional may order a blood test that screens your blood for specific allergy-causing antibodies to various common allergens, including various animals. This test also may show how sensitive you are to an allergen.
The first line of treatment for controlling pet allergy is avoiding the allergy-causing animal as much as possible. When you minimize your exposure to pet allergens, you generally should expect to have less frequent or less severe allergic reactions.
It’s often difficult or impossible to completely eliminate your exposure to animal allergens. Even if you don’t have a pet, you could encounter pet allergens transported on other people’s clothes.
In addition to avoiding pet allergens, you may need medicines to control symptoms.
Allergy medicines
A healthcare professional may direct you to take one of the following medicines to improve nasal allergy symptoms:
Antihistamines reduce the production of an immune system chemical that is active in an allergic reaction. They help relieve itching, sneezing and runny nose.
Prescription antihistamines in a nasal spray include azelastine and olopatadine (Patanase). Antihistamine tablets available without a prescription include fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and levocetirizine (Xyzal Allergy). Antihistamine syrups without a prescription are available for children. Prescription antihistamine tablets, such as desloratadine (Clarinex), are other options.
- Corticosteroids delivered in a nasal spray can reduce swelling and control symptoms of hay fever. These medicines include fluticasone (Flonase Allergy Relief), mometasone (Nasonex 24HR Allergy) and triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR). Ciclesonide (Omnaris) can be given with a prescription. Nasal corticosteroids provide a low dose of the medicine and have a much lower risk of side effects than oral corticosteroids.
Decongestants can help shrink swollen tissues in your nose and make it easier to breathe through your nose. Some allergy tablets available without a prescription combine an antihistamine with a decongestant.
Oral decongestants can increase blood pressure. They generally shouldn’t be taken if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma or cardiovascular disease. Talk to a healthcare professional about whether you can safely take a decongestant.
Nasal spray decongestants available without a prescription may briefly reduce allergy symptoms. If you use a decongestant spray for more than three days in a row, it can increase congestion.
Leukotriene modifiers block the action of certain immune system chemicals. A health professional may prescribe montelukast (Singulair), a prescription tablet, if corticosteroid nasal sprays or antihistamines are not good options for you.
Possible side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory infection, headache and fever. Less common side effects include behavior or mood changes, such as anxiousness or depression.
Other treatments
Immunotherapy. You can “train” your immune system not to be sensitive to an allergen. Immunotherapy is delivered through a series of allergy shots.
One to 2 weekly shots expose you to very small doses of the animal protein that causes an allergic reaction. The dose is gradually increased, usually during a 4- to 6-month period.
Maintenance shots are needed every four weeks for 3 to 5 years. Immunotherapy is usually used when other simple treatments aren’t satisfactory.
Nasal irrigation. You can use a neti pot or a specially designed squeeze bottle to flush thickened mucus and irritants from your sinuses with a prepared saline rinse.
If you’re preparing the saline solution yourself, use water that’s contaminant-free. This means distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered. Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with contaminant-free water and leave open to air-dry.
References
- Pet allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://acaai.org/allergies/types/pet-allergy. Accessed Jan. 23, 2023.
- Pet dander. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/pet-dander. Accessed Jan. 23, 2023.
- Pet allergy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/pet-allergy. Accessed Jan. 23, 2023.
- Kleinman K, et al. Immunology and allergy. In: The Harriet Lane Handbook. 22nd ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Rifai N, et al., eds. Allergy testing. In: Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Pet allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pet-dog-cat-allergies/. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Erwin EA, et al. Pets in the home: Impact on allergic disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Allergy testing. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/allergy-testing. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Immunotherapy can provide lasting relief. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/immunotherapy-can-provide-lasting-relief. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe. Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
- Montelukast. Merative Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
- Drug guide overview. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Drug-Guide/Drug-Guide-Overview. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
- Decongestants. National Health Service. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/decongestants/. Accessed Jan. 25, 2023.
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