Allergies to Animals

Facts About Allergies
What are allergies to animals?
What about 'environmental control'?
Steps to Control Animal Allergens
Other Helpful Suggestions

Facts About Allergies

The tendency to develop allergies may be inherited. If you have allergic tendencies and are exposed to certain things in your environment (allergens), you may develop allergies to some of those things. Examples of allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, eczema and rash. The timing of the allergic response may be immediate or delayed. Allergy testing may be recommended to help identify your allergies.

What are allergies to animals?

Animal dander (dead skin that is continually shed), urine and saliva can cause an allergic reaction. Exposure to these allergens, especially breathing in particles which include dander, cause the allergic reaction to animals.

Feathered or furry animals such as cats, dogs, birds, rodents (hamsters, gerbils, mice etc.) can cause allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "hypo-allergenic" cat or dog, and shorthaired breeds are no less of a problem than animals with long hair. Exposure to other warm-blooded animals such as livestock, or to products made with feathers or down, may also cause allergy symptoms. If you do not own a feathered or furry pet, do not get one because you can develop allergies with repeated exposure.

What about 'environmental control'?

Once an allergy has been identified, the next step is to decrease or eliminate exposure to the allergen . This is called environmental control. Evidence shows that allergy and asthma symptoms may improve over time, if the recommended environmental control changes are made. Many of the changes are for the entire home. The bedroom is the most important, because the bedroom is where people usually spend 1/3 to 1/2 of their time.

How can I eliminate or reduce exposure to animal dander allergens?

• Remove the animal from your home.
• If you must have a pet, keep it out of the allergic person's bedroom at all times.
• If you have forced air heating and a pet, close the air ducts in the allergic person’s bedroom. If necessary, use an electric heater instead.
• The pet should be washed weekly by a non-allergic person.
• Avoid visits to friends and relatives with feathered or furry pets.

Other Helpful Suggestions

• Choose a pet without feathers or fur (fish, reptiles, amphibians).
• A "HEPA" air cleaner can remove dander from the air. However, the benefits may be limited because of the large reservoir of dander in furniture and carpet.
• Do not use down comforters and pillows - down is made of feathers. Substitute them with synthetic materials.

Your healthcare provider may recommend additional medications, therapies or other environmental controls. Exposure to furry or feathered animals can make allergy, asthma and/or eczema (atopic dermatitis) symptoms worse in some people. To avoid these problems follow the above steps to decrease or eliminate exposure.

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This information has been approved by David Tinkelman, M.D. (February 2006).