Allergy to cats and dogs. How to treat: effective methods and general rules
For a person who loves animals very much, an allergy to dog hair is very difficult. Worldwide, about half of the population owns dogs. Exactly the same number of allergy sufferers. The fur of this cute animal can be anywhere, even where it has never been. So how do you deal with this problem? How to protect yourself from the disease, thereby not depriving yourself of the pleasure of communicating with your four-legged friend? In this article, we will give the most detailed answer to the question - is there an allergy to dogs and how to get rid of this allergy?
Causes of the disease
An allergy to dog hair can manifest itself due to dead skin cells, saliva, dog urine, since these are the main allergens. Many people are under the misconception that the shorter your pet's coat, the less likely it is to get sick. This is not true. Each dog releases different levels of allergens, so a person's reaction can be completely different from another allergic person.
Dog fur allergy symptoms
Some people who are allergic to dog hair may notice redness in the area of their body where the saliva of the animal has entered. Allergists who experience the acute form of the disease complain of a rash on the face and in the area chest. If a person suffers from asthma, then an immediate cessation of contact with the object of allergy is necessary.
dog and child
Today, parents are increasingly faced with when an allergy to dogs manifests itself in children.
The symptoms of dog hair allergy in children are as follows:
- Nasal congestion or vice versa - runny nose;
- Tearing of the eyes, redness, burning and itching;
- Choking, shortness of breath;
- Dry cough. wheezing in the lungs;
- redness, rash, pruritus.
When such symptoms appear, it is necessary to immediately limit the child in communication with the dog. Wash it more often, wash things that the pet comes into contact with, do the cleaning, as wool is found throughout the house.
Dog allergy testing
Before you buy a dog, you need to ask yourself the question - is there an allergy to dogs? In order to find out, you need to contact a specialist who will offer you to undergo a series of tests, that is, take a blood test or you are given a skin test. If you are absolutely sure that you are allergic to your four-legged friend, still do not be lazy and take a radioallergen sorbent test. There are cases when, at the request of the doctor, the patient gives up his pet for a while, but the allergy does not disappear.
Dog Allergy Treatment
You need to start taking standard medications that are used in the treatment of animal allergies. Your doctor may suggest medications such as:
It is also necessary to follow a few rules so as not to aggravate the disease.
Rules to follow during allergy treatment:
- Do not get very close to your pet, do not hug or kiss him in any case. It is best to avoid visiting the room where the dog is.
- If contact with an animal cannot be avoided, without fail use all your prescribed allergy medications.
- Do wet cleaning at home, clean the air.
- If you are visited by guests with a dog, then be careful. Dog hair can spread throughout your home, so you need to do a thorough cleaning of your entire home.
Well, if you can’t live without your beloved dog, then experts recommend bathing him - the more often, the better. Many studies prove that bathing helps to reduce hair that falls out and flies in the air. Since it is impossible to cure an allergy to dogs or any other animal, you need to use these tips to improve your condition next to your beloved pet.
esthetology.com.ua
The appearance of a pet in the house can not only please, but also upset. If, upon contact with a dog or cat, you have tears in your eyes, while there are no feelings of tenderness, joy and boundless happiness, then we can talk about the manifestation of an allergy. Tears are accompanied by other symptoms that should be treated.
According to statistics, an allergy to animal hair is manifested in 15% of the inhabitants of the planet. Contacts with animals in this case are more dangerous, although the animals themselves can be cute and friendly.
The slovmed.com website indicates that there is no allergy to wool as such. Negative reaction occurs in response to secretion internal glands, which is observed on animal hair, in saliva or urine. In this case, it is not recommended to have pets if one of the household members has an allergy. And you should also be careful for those people who keep pets: they can carry allergens from their pets, provoking negative immune reactions in other allergic people.
This type of allergy is considered one of the most common. However, some people do not deny themselves contacts with pets because of this. Sometimes allergies develop over the years, which makes you not pay attention to it. Sometimes an allergy to animals is provoked by bird feathers, fish food, ant eggs, rodent waste, bird droppings, etc.
Symptoms of an Allergy to Animal Fur
Allergy to animal hair is manifested by the same symptoms as allergy to plant pollen. Its main features are:
- Lachrymation.
- Asthmatic attack.
- Sneezing.
- Nasal congestion.
- Runny nose.
Depending on the individual features symptoms can last from a few hours to 6 months. All this time the patient should be under the supervision of an allergist.
Wool allergy symptoms:
- Rashes of various kinds, often in the form of a small rash.
- Tearing, swelling of the eyelids, allergic conjunctivitis.
- Nasal discharge, sneezing, allergic rhinitis.
- Severe itching, hyperemia of the skin.
- Attacks of suffocation, shortness of breath.
- Neuroderma, urticaria, eczema.
- Bronchial asthma in extreme cases.
An allergic reaction can also occur on items made from natural wool, as well as using this component, for example, pillows, fur coats, knitwear. The symptoms of a wool allergy are as follows:
- Itching in the nose and sneezing.
- Skin itching.
- Swelling of the face.
- Dry cough with attacks of choking or shortness of breath.
- Swelling and tearing, redness of the eyes.
- Hoarseness of voice and sore throat.
- Swelling of the nasopharynx, which causes difficulty in breathing.
- Quincke's edema.
- Unsuccessful attempts to cough.
The more often a person comes into contact with the source of the allergy, the stronger the symptoms become, which begin to last for a long time and do not go away for a long time. Doctors who should monitor the patient's health condition will help to cope with the symptoms. Since allergies most often occur on dog and cat hair, we will consider these topics in more detail.
go to top Allergy to cat hair
Cats and cats are the main allergens that are present in their secretions. The animals themselves, like their fur, are not allergic. It's all about their secret, which is secreted by the skin and which is observed in saliva and urine. Since the feline family constantly monitors its cleanliness (they lick themselves several times a day), the allergenic protein is not only on their fur, but also where they are. Protein is a substance that provokes an allergy to cat hair.
Cats excrete more allergenic substances than cats. However, in the presence of allergies, even cats will not be able to save a person from the onset of symptoms. Cats and cats often leave their secret where they sit and sleep. These are household furniture, dust, carpets, soft toys, etc. A lot of secrets are excreted along with urine, which cats can leave in inappropriate places.
The symptoms of an allergy to cat hair are similar to other signs of this allergy. However, mostly the first symptoms are nasal congestion and itching, which some people attribute to colds.
Cat dander allergy symptoms:
- Labored breathing.
- Swelling of the face.
- Itching all over body.
- Hoarseness of voice.
- Hives.
- Sore throat.
- Hacking cough.
- Strong tearing.
- Asthmatic attack.
- Quincke's edema.
Is it possible to get a cat without hair, for example, sphinxes or levkoy? Unfortunately, the reason lies not in the fur of cats, but in their gland, which is secreted even in bald species. Therefore, if you are allergic to cat hair, you should abandon this pet in the house.
go to top Allergy to dog hair
In second place after cats are dogs, with which people also often come into contact, which provokes an allergic reaction in them. An allergy to dog hair develops due to the release of the Can F1 allergen by the skin, which is observed in high concentrations in short-haired dogs than in long-haired dogs.
Doctors say that hypoallergenic dogs do not exist, so it is simply impossible to choose a breed of dog that will not be allergic. Even with systematic care of a pet, its skin will release an allergen that will provoke a negative reaction of the body.
This Can F1 attaches well to upholstered furniture, carpets, curtains and toys, for a long time maintaining its viability.
Symptoms of a "dog" allergy:
- Dry cough.
- Redness of the eyes.
- Swelling of the nasopharynx and, as a result, difficulty breathing.
- Tearing.
- Hoarse voice.
- Skin itching.
Allergic symptoms are mainly concentrated at the site of contact with dog saliva. These are the skin that can itch. especially dangerous given allergy becomes for bronchial asthmatics, who may develop suffocation and, as a result, Quincke's edema.
go to top Treating an Allergy to Animal Fur
Treatment of an allergy to animal hair begins with the determination of the allergen, to which an unpleasant immune reaction occurs. This is done with the following tests:
- Skin prick test.
- Prick test.
- Determination of specific antibodies.
- Nasal/bronchoprovocation test.
The surest treatment for an allergy to animal hair is a complete rejection of contact with them. You should not have pets, as well as visit places where animals live, on the wool of which an allergy occurs. You should also be careful when dealing with people who keep pets. On their clothing or skin, they can carry animal allergens.
Drug treatment of "woolen" allergies consists in prescribing:
- Nasal aerosols that eliminate runny nose, nasal congestion and swelling of the nasopharynx.
- Antihistamines:
- Flonaz.
- Zyrtec.
- Suprastin.
- Cirtec.
- Astelin.
- Loratadine.
- Nasonex.
- Claritin.
- Corticosteroid drugs for severe allergic symptoms.
- Anti-asthma medicines that relieve the symptoms of bronchial asthma.
- Antiallergic injections that take a long time.
- Decongestants that relieve swelling of the skin, mucous membranes:
- Sudafed.
- Allgra-D.
- Immunotherapy is a long-term therapy that involves the administration of small dose allergen under the skin in order to produce antibodies by the immune system. Injections are made several times, while increasing the dose of the allergen.
How can a person organize his life so that his allergy to animal hair does not bother him?
- Avoid contact with animals, even the smallest.
- Donate or donate good people pet to which you are allergic.
- Ask people who have pets to keep pets out of the room you are in. And before the trip to visit, start taking hypoallergenic drugs.
- If you have a pet at home, wet cleaning should be done more often, Special attention giving at the same time to the corners where wool can accumulate. It is better not to clean with a vacuum cleaner, as it raises dust with allergens, which can linger in the air for a long time.
- Use lightweight carpets and curtains instead of thicker ones to minimize dust and lint.
- Ventilate the room. Install an air conditioner with air purification, an ionizer and good system ventilation.
- A pet should be bathed once a week, combed well and shake out the beds on which he sleeps. This should be done by someone else, not an allergic person.
- Do not let your pet into the bedroom and into those rooms where the allergy sufferer spends most time.
- If an allergy appears and at the same time there is no animal nearby, pillows and blankets, which may be allergenic, should be changed.
- Refuse to visit the circus and zoos.
go to top Forecast
Having a pet is not only fashionable, but sometimes necessary, especially for a lonely person. However, along with a fluffy animal, allergies can also come into a person’s life. The prognosis at the same time becomes unfavorable, because for health reasons, allergy symptoms can be very strong.
The immune response often manifests itself in acute form. A person will not be able to miss it, but it can be confused with signs of other diseases. It is better to consult a doctor so as not to endanger your life and not bring it to a fatal outcome. An allergy to animal hair affects life expectancy, so you should follow all the rules for organizing your life and contacts with pets.
SlovMed.com
Hypersensitivity is now found everywhere and to any food surrounding objects. Often people suffer from allergies to dog hair. Children who develop itching, urticaria, nasal discharge, asthma attacks, cough are especially acute. Unfortunately, in most cases, the only way to eliminate allergies is to get rid of the dog at home. Acute attacks allergies will lead to swelling of the throat, suffocation and death, the greatest danger of hypersensitivity is for children. Weak attacks can be controlled by reducing contact with the dog, improving sanitary conditions.
Why do people get allergic to dogs?
An allergic reaction develops when it enters the human body a certain kind proteins. There are many types of allergens. Hypersensitivity in dog owners can develop to the following animal allergens:
- epidermis, hair;
- saliva;
- blood;
- urine;
- stool masses.
The disease develops when any of these substances enters the dog's body (people may be allergic to a certain type of protein, or to several). In a sick person, complexes are formed from lymphocytes and antigens, which are perceived by the immune system as hostile. Therefore, upon secondary contact, antibodies begin to form and be released into the blood.
Thus, an allergy is a certain type of body's immune response, which is formed to very non-dangerous external stimuli. The main downside of dog allergies is that you can't get rid of them. Existing medicines only muffle the immune response and are effective in mild forms of hypersensitivity.
Allergy to wool is more common in history in patients. Although this name is incorrect, it describes the problem in the simplest way - hypersensitivity usually manifests itself in animals with a long and thick hairline. But they cause a reaction to the hair itself, and the protein contained in its structure also causes allergies to proteins in the blood, saliva and other fluids and secretions of the dog.
But not all animals cause hypersensitivity to the same extent:
- animals without wool;
- breeds without undercoat;
- wire-haired dog breeds;
- small pets.
It is believed that allergies have a hereditary predisposition. But, unfortunately, parents without allergies give birth to children with hypersensitivity to dog hair, which makes it impossible to continue keeping the pet. Inheritance mechanism allergic diseases poorly studied.
How does an allergy manifest itself?
Hypersensitivity of any type has many manifestations. Often the symptoms are combined and supplemented, the classical form of the clinical picture is less often observed. Sick people with allergies to dogs have several syndromes. An allergic reaction has several syndromes, although more often clinical picture is mixed:
- urticaria - various skin rashes, itching;
- respiratory syndrome - cough, choking, shortness of breath;
- dermatitis, eczema;
- work disorder digestive system;
- lacrimation, redness of the conjunctiva, runny nose - hay fever;
- swelling of the throat, tongue;
- anaphylaxis - strong oppression, weak work various systems organism.
With immediate hypersensitivity, symptoms appear rapidly, constantly growing. But the clinic also quickly disappears if the allergen is removed. Delayed-type allergy manifests itself slowly, symptoms develop over several months, but it is also more difficult to remove them.
At the beginning, the eyes of a sick person begin to water, lacrimation intensifies. The cough reflex increases, sneezing, the child may begin to choke. At the same time, they begin to appear skin rashes- bubbles, red dots that itch, and when scratching, weeping surfaces form. With prolonged exposure to allergens, the rash turns into weeping eczema and inflammation of the skin.
Allergy to wool manifests itself at any age and is characterized by rashes, damage to the respiratory system, and lacrimation.
In some cases, allergies begin with an attack of anaphylaxis and Quincke's edema. This problem is rare, but it is the most dangerous form allergies when hypersensitivity. In a sick person, the throat swells, the tongue and submandibular space increase. Difficulty breathing and swallowing. With anaphylaxis, the respiratory rate and heart rate decrease, the body temperature drops, general lethargy and indifference to external stimuli appear. In such cases, hospitalization is immediately carried out.
Wool allergy can be confirmed laboratory research. For examination, samples of the dog's hair are taken and the sensitivity of a person to them is determined. This method does not give final results and is carried out as prescribed by an allergist, who makes a diagnosis.
Help with dog hair allergies
To get rid of allergies, you must first of all limit contact with the pathogen, so that the symptoms of allergy to dogs appear less often and in mild degree. Exists radical method– getting rid of the animal to which it is necessary to resort, if there is anaphylactic shock, swelling. If the signs of allergy to dogs in adults and children are not very pronounced, then it is necessary to reconsider the conditions of detention, since the cause of the pathology is not the dog itself, but the proteins secreted by them:
- daily wet cleaning of the room;
- the dog needs to be combed daily, and long-haired pets also need to be cut regularly;
- it is necessary to wash the pet at least twice a week, it is better not to use shampoos;
- The contents of the tray must be disposed of immediately.
There is an immunotherapy technique that can greatly reduce pathological manifestation allergies. A sick person is gradually injected with increasing doses of an antigen that causes an allergy to wool. As a result, the formation of class G immunoglobulins, which block pathogenic agents, preventing them from binding to E-immunoglobulins. It is the latter that cause dangerous processes. But this type of treatment is associated with the risk of developing anaphylactic shock.
To reduce symptoms allergic reaction appointed:
- tavegil;
- suprastin;
- cortisone;
- adrenalin;
- diphenhydramine;
- loratadine.
These funds allow emergency assistance blocking the action of allergy mediators. But they are not used for long-term therapy. With anaphylactic shock and swelling of the throat, urgent hospitalization is necessary. Chronically ill people should reconsider their lifestyle - the most radical measure will get rid of the dog.
Allergy to wool in many cases is very dangerous disease capable of causing death in the host. Hypersensitivity is especially dangerous for children - it is difficult to determine the onset of severe processes in a child, and help in this case is required immediately. In such cases, the only option left is to look for new owners for the dog. In mild cases, when the child only has watery eyes to a small extent, you can not deprive him of the joy of caring for a pet.
vetugolok.ru
Allergies to dogs are common. It occurs with a frequency of 1 case per 100 people. Allergy to dogs is most aggravated in the autumn or spring, when the animal begins to shed and spread the allergen everywhere.
Allergy is an increase in the amount of histamine and lymphocytes in the blood serum. This reaction is similar to the reaction to antibodies in infectious, inflammatory diseases. Atypical behavior immune system explained by various factors that disrupted its work. Statistics show that children who had contact with an animal during the formation of the immune system were less likely to suffer from intolerance to dog hair and saliva.
Allergy to dogs must be confirmed laboratory tests. It is not recommended to self-diagnose, choose the direction of treatment. The question of how to cure an allergy to dogs should be decided by an allergist.
Etymology
Can you be allergic to a dog? Yes, and sometimes it is latent. With a short contact with an animal, an allergic person may not feel a deterioration in well-being. But when the pet begins to live with you all the time, allergies can appear.
What factors contribute to the formation of individual intolerance:
- Heredity. If one of the parents was allergic, no matter what type of allergen, then the probability of developing an allergy in a child is more than 40%. If there is a double-sided hereditary factor(both parents) the risk rises to 80%.
- Irritants, ecology. Perfume, paint, wallpaper, mold, dust, chemical substances impair the functioning of the immune system, lead to malfunctions in its work.
- Viral, infectious diseases. They deplete the immune system, weaken it. As a result, it is likely that she will begin to react incorrectly to familiar things, substances.
- Smoking, regular use alcoholic beverages. The respiratory system does not function well, there are problems with the body's defenses.
Many people think that allergies only happen to dog hair - they are wrong. In fact, signs of an allergic reaction from wool appear much less frequently than from other pet waste products.
Dog allergy symptoms can include:
- dandruff;
- saliva;
- urine;
- fecal masses;
- pieces of skin.
Sometimes the psychogenic factor plays an important role. Surprisingly, an allergic reaction can be formed as a result of a bad experience with a dog. For example, she bit (saliva intolerance) or frightened her badly.
Symptoms
Are there specific dog allergies? Unfortunately no. Symptoms of dog intolerance do not differ from the usual manifestation of rhinitis, urticaria.
The only difference is that dog allergies are different for everyone. One sneezes or coughs more, the other breaks out in a rash.
How do dog allergies manifest?
- tearfulness, redness of the eyes;
- itchy, swollen eyelids;
- small red rash or blisters with a red border, transparent contents (urticaria);
- dry cough;
- nasal congestion and runny nose;
- skin itching;
- nausea, stool disorder, vomiting;
- dizzy;
- decline in performance.
How do you know if you are allergic to dogs? A skin allergy test, as well as a blood serum test, will help to find out. The final conclusion whether you are allergic to the dog's saliva, its fur or skin, will be made by an allergist.
Dangerous signs of anaphylaxis:
- pale skin;
- shortness of breath, shortness of breath;
- pulse quickens;
- hypotension (low blood pressure);
- dizziness.
If this pattern of manifestations or other signs of allergy to dogs are observed, you should immediately seek medical attention. medical care and limit contact with your pet.
How long does it take for allergies to show up? 1-2 hours are enough for the reaction to dogs to begin to disturb, the symptoms of which can be pronounced.
In a child, the first rashes can be found on the palms. Therefore, you should carefully examine the body for rashes.
Allergenic and hypoallergenic breeds
Allergy to dog hair may occur with little intensity or not at all if you have a hypoallergenic breed of dog at home. This feature is explained by the nature of the coat, in which molting occurs several times less often than in long-haired dogs.
Dog allergy symptoms are less likely to occur in the following breeds:
- wire-haired schnauzer;
- poodle;
- maltese;
- shih tzu;
- dwarf spitz;
- Jack Russell Terrier;
- bichon;
- Yorkshire Terrier;
- papillon;
- Chinese Crested.
The coat of the Jack Russell Terrier is smooth and short, and shedding is rare. Regular trimming in salons allows you to completely avoid contact with the pet's hairline.
However, it is difficult to determine how the body will react to dogs of a particular breed. It is always possible to develop an allergic reaction to any kind. This can only be verified in practice.
Dogs of a certain hypoallergenic type- good prevention of allergies in children and adults.
How is it treated?
Many who do not want to part with their beloved pet are interested in - is it possible to cure it forever? Treatment of dog allergies is focused on suppressing symptoms and preventing other complications.
Against allergic rhinitis special drops of antihistamine action are prescribed:
- Vibrocil;
- Allergodil;
- Sanorin-Analergin;
- Fenistil;
- Prevalin;
- Tizin Allergy;
- Kromoheksal;
- Lecrolin.
The main cure for dog allergies is an oral antihistamine. He fights immediately with all the signs from the inside, reducing the amount of histamine in the blood.
What kind antihistamine tablets help:
- Fenkarol;
- Tavegil;
- Clarotadine;
- Desal;
- Lomilan;
- Claritin;
- Zyrtec;
- Kestin;
- Telfast;
- Loratadine;
- Zodak.
Fenistil drops are suitable for newborns. And for older children, drugs are Fenistil tablets and Suprastin.
dog allergy how to treat external manifestations- topical drugs without hormones (ointments, creams):
- Fenistil;
- Desitin;
- Panthenol;
- Bepanthen;
- Protopic;
- Skin-cap.
These drugs soothe the skin, relieve inflammation, promote rapid healing and have an antispasmodic effect.
Most non-steroidal ointments are suitable for children, pregnant women, as they have only a local effect, without affecting the entire organ system.
Hormone-based drugs are used only in adult therapy, under the supervision of a physician. It is impossible to independently choose and regulate the duration of treatment without medical advice.
Severe form skin allergies dogs are treated with:
- Elokoma;
- Flucort;
- Apuleina;
- Sinaflan;
- Afloderma;
- Lorinden;
- Cynacorta;
- Sinaflan;
- Diperzolone;
- Locacorten.
Any agent from this group has big list contraindications and side effects. They must be used with caution.
If you are interested in how to get rid of dog allergies, then there is only one answer - universal remedy no.
It is necessary either to temporarily suppress the symptoms, or to limit contact with the allergen as much as possible.
What to do if you are allergic to dogs, is it possible to leave a pet?
If individual intolerance proceeds easily with typical rhinitis, then it will be enough regular intake antiallergic drugs. But if a newborn suffers from allergies, any doctor will tell you - get rid of the dog in the house. At small child may be anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening.
At the first suspicion of an allergy from dogs, you should seek help from a competent specialist. You must register with an allergist and see him regularly, follow his instructions. It is not always possible to leave a pet nearby, but remember that maintaining health is more important.
And you can find a wonderful owner for your pet or give it to relatives.
allergolog1.ru
Allergies are excited not only by small hairs of wool and undercoat of pets, but also by the smallest residues and feces. skin mites, as well as particles of the epidermis of animals.
In addition, a certain contribution to the excitation of allergic reactions is made by particles of eye, ear secretions and feces remaining on the anus.
Symptoms of allergies to cats and dogs
Most often, allergies are caused by cats and everything connected with them. - copious separation of tears and saliva, bronchospasm, swelling of the nose and nasopharynx, coughing and sneezing to chest pain - can turn into serious asthmatic attacks, aggravated.
It is believed that the allergic reaction may be aggravated by individual aversion to the smell of cat urine and acrid secretions. anal glands, as well as stinking cat food. However, in this case it is almost improbable, it was not revealed deaths associated with allergies to cats and their fur.
In addition, an allergic reaction can be caused by cat saliva getting under the skin when bitten. In this case, it happens local inflammation wounds, possibly combined with in the form.
The cause of allergic reactions to the fur of cats and dogs
In addition, there is something like vaccination prophylaxis - immunotherapy, when a person is gradually introduced meager doses of an allergen to “get used to” and enhance the immune response. Sometimes the child gradually gets used to the animal himself, this happens the faster, the more they are attached to each other. In this case, it is characteristic that the child is allergic to his animal.
Allergy is diagnosed in the laboratory using skin tests, as well as clinical analysis blood for certain immunoglobulins.
Pet Allergy Questions
Is it possible to cure allergies to cats, dogs? There is a breathing method by Konstantin Buteyko. Below is a video of this method.
