Pet allergies

Up to 10% of the UK population may be allergic to pet animals to some degree - for those with asthma this rises to almost 30%! Up to 40% of children with asthma are allergic to cats.

- cat are the most common cause of pet allergy
- dogs are the second most common cause

The cat allergens are present in the skin scales, saliva, sweat glands and tears of the cat but it is distributed over the fur during grooming. The saliva dries on the cat hair and becomes airborne. In dogs the allergen is found mainly in the skin scales and the saliva. Small animals such as mice, rats and guinea pigs also have allergens in their urine and is also found in dust from their litter.

Pets can trigger asthma leading to cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. Pets can also be the cause of rashes and eczema. Other allergy symptoms may include:

- itchy, runny or blocked nose and sneezing
- itchy red, sore eyes
- itchy sore throat and tongue

Treatment and avoidance measures

- don’t keep furry pets - however, if you can’t bare parting with your pet then try to limit them to one room in the house
- keep your pet out of the bedroom and off any furniture in a room where you spend most of your time, as exposure can be very high
- don’t let your pet near your face or clothing as this can exacerbate your symptoms
- wash your pet regularly - allergens can be easily washed away with a wet sponge (wear gloves when washing your pets or better still get someone else to do it or you)
- ask someone else to brush your pet to remove allergens from the fur or hair- preferably outside the house!
- vacuum carpets and soft furnishings regularly to remove animal hairs
- replace bedding that pets have been in contact with regularly - it can take months or even years to remove allergens from fabrics
- consider installing an air cleaner

If you are visiting the home of a pet owner then request that they do not vacuum clean immediately before your visit as the pet allergens can remain airborne for up to a day making the allergens more likely to be breathed in. There is also evidence that allergen levels can be 200% higher in homes with poor ventilation.

GP and advisor to ITV’s This Morning, Dr Chris Steele is a true advocate of self diagnosis. He says: “Understanding allergy and it’s causes can have a considerable impact on a person’s quality of life. Anyone suffering with allergy will tell you that living with symptoms from itchy skin to a constantly running nose and flu-like symptoms can be incredibly debilitating. Add to this the long waiting lists and it’s easy to see we have a very real allergy management problem in the UK.

“Quick, reliable and convenient home allergy testing gives people the knowledge to take the next steps towards choosing the most appropriate course of action whether it be a doctor’s appointment, an over the counter treatment or lifestyle changes such as house dust mite or cat avoidance which could considerably improve their quality of life.”

Your pharmacist can advise on suitable medications which are available without prescription such as antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and eye drops. If your symptoms persist then you should seek further help from your doctor.