Animal allergy

Animal Allergy is a type of allergy that is caused by exposure to animals. This can include pets such as dogs and cats, as well as other animals such as horses, birds, and rodents. The allergens that cause these reactions can be found in the animal's dander, saliva, and urine.

Causes

Animal allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to certain proteins found in an animal's dander, saliva, or urine. These proteins are known as allergens. When a person with an animal allergy comes into contact with these allergens, their immune system reacts by releasing chemicals such as histamine that cause allergy symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of animal allergies can range from mild to severe and can include:

• Itchy eyes
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of animal allergies is typically made through a combination of a patient's medical history, physical examination, and allergy testing. Allergy testing can include skin prick tests and blood tests.

Treatment

Treatment for animal allergies can include:

• Avoidance of the animal causing the allergy
• Antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Inhalers
• Allergy shots

Prevention

Prevention strategies for animal allergies can include:

• Keeping pets out of bedrooms and other areas where people with allergies spend a lot of time
• Regularly cleaning and vacuuming to reduce allergens in the home
• Using air purifiers to remove allergens from the air

See Also

• Allergy
• Pet allergy
• Dust mite allergy
• Mold allergy