Allergies to pets are observed in 4% of adults and 11% of children. More often, hypersensitivity manifests itself in the form of rhinitis and bronchial asthma, less often as a skin reaction. The prevalence of the disease is constantly increasing. It is believed that in 57% of patients with bronchial asthma, sensitization is associated with hypersensitivity to pet hair.
Patients try to get rid of allergies to cats using folk remedies and medications. Modern medicine suggests using more effective methods: allergen-specific immunotherapy and autolymphocytotherapy. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, but the main evaluation criterion is the duration of the remission period and complete recovery.
Why are there allergies to animals?
A pet allergy is a reaction of the human immune system to the skin, saliva or urine of an animal. It is often caused by pet hair and dead skin flakes, and less commonly by allergens called proteins and produced by the endocrine system. All allergens, regardless of type, can be airborne, can mix with dust and other substances, and accumulate on things, furniture and other surfaces, causing reaction symptoms in women, men and children. Any animal with fur can cause an allergic reaction, but most pet allergies involve dogs and cats.
Michael Miller, MD notes that most allergies are to:
- dogs and cats are caused by human hypersensitivity to proteins contained in their saliva and dander;
- rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs - in urine.
Causes
Allergy is a “popular” disease all over the world, which affects so many people that it can safely be called a “disease of civilization.” And allergies to cats are in first place among other types of this disease.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body overreacts to an irritant, believing it to be such. The “Danger!” signal turns on, although nothing terrible happens. The immune system activates defense, trying to get rid of a non-existent enemy.
Peculiarity! Some scientists believe that an allergic reaction, on the contrary, occurs in people with an overly elevated, active immune system.
Experts have not yet fully figured out why allergies occur, but they have put forward various versions of the disease that affects cats:
- Heredity. If parents struggle with allergies all their lives, then their children will most likely also have this disease.
- Street animal. A cat that is allowed to walk outside picks up dust and all sorts of remains of flowers and plants on its fur. And people who are prone to allergies to dust and pollen also react to cats.
- Substances contained in the epithelium, saliva, and urine of a cat are a strong allergen. A weakened body tries to mobilize all its strength, which is why symptoms arise.
What are the symptoms of animal allergies?
Symptoms of allergies to animals that live in homes make themselves felt immediately after interacting with them, due to the presence of allergens near the allergic person. The occurrence of an uncharacteristic reaction of the body is indicated by:
- repeated sneezing;
- skin rashes;
- sinus congestion or nasal discharge;
- red eye syndrome, lacrimation;
- cough, wheezing and shortness of breath;
- discomfort in the chest.
Appearance on the skin
What can cause a rash? rashes and other indicated symptoms may indicate not only an allergy to animals, but also other diseases of internal organs and systems. To determine the cause of their occurrence, you need to consult a doctor.
What is an allergy
An allergy is a specific reaction of the body to certain substances with the release of antibodies (immunoglobulins) to suppress them. At the same time, a special hormone, histamine, begins to be actively released from the cells.
This process may be accompanied by a narrowing of large vessels and expansion of small capillaries, and muscle spasms. The main signs of an allergy are redness of the skin, a drop or, on the contrary, an increase in blood pressure, swelling, the appearance of a rash, etc. With an increased release of histamine, in the absence of timely treatment, even anaphylactic shock with convulsions and loss of consciousness is possible.
More than 12 allergens were found in the fur, skin epithelium, saliva and secretions of cats: proteins that cause a similar reaction in the human body. Moreover, in cats and castrated animals their content is lower than in cats.
Will cat allergies go away?
There is no scientific evidence that a cat allergy will go away over time. If it is not possible to eliminate the allergen, an allergist will help reduce the symptoms of an allergic reaction using antihistamines.
Dr Kerry Hancock, a member of the National Asthma Council of Australia, says that all cat breeds produce allergens, regardless of whether they have fur or how long it is. Typically, male cats produce more allergens than female cats. Neutering cats helps reduce the occurrence of allergic reactions.
The role of tablets in treatment
Drug treatment for patients with hypersensitivity to cats is aimed at relieving symptoms. Pharmacy offers two ways:
- 1. Minimizing manifestations after the allergen enters the blood.
- 2. Barrier preventive methods.
Description of medications in tablets, capsules and powder:
| Group of substances | Name | Symptomatic treatment | Action | Contraindications | Side effects |
| 1st generation antihistamines | Pipolfen | Allergic reactions: swelling, urticaria, itching | Histamine H1 receptor blocker | Children under 2 years old, pregnancy, lactation | Inhibition of reactions, suppression of reflexes |
| Diphenhydramine | |||||
| Fenistil | |||||
| Diazolin | |||||
| Suprastin | |||||
| 2nd generation antihistamines | Claritin | Hives | Selective blocker of peripheral histamine H1 receptors | Children under 2 years old | Drowsiness, headache, nervousness |
| Akrivastine | Children under 12 years of age, lactation, pregnancy | ||||
| Erius | Children under 6 months, pregnancy, lactation | ||||
| Ebastine | Urticaria, allergic rhinitis | ||||
| Terfenadine | |||||
| Semprex | Drowsiness | ||||
| 3rd generation antihistamines | Tsetrin | Reduced excitability of mast cells | |||
| Telfast | Allergic rhinitis | Children under 12 years of age, pregnancy, lactation | |||
| Trexyl Neo | Allergic rhinitis, urticaria | ||||
| Levocabastine | Allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis | Children under 12 years of age, pregnancy, lactation | |||
| Eslotin | Allergic rhinitis, urticaria | ||||
| Fexofenadine | Allergic rhinitis, urticaria | Children under 12 years of age, pregnancy, lactation | |||
| Loratadine | Children under 2 years old, pregnancy, lactation | Vomiting, dry mouth | |||
| Dimetinden | |||||
| Mast cell membrane stabilizers | Sodium cromoglycate | Difficulty breathing, wheezing | Reduced excitability of mast cells | Children under 2 years old, pregnancy, lactation | Dizziness, insomnia, nausea |
| Cromolyn sodium | Children under 5 years old, pregnancy, lactation | Cough | |||
| Ketotifen | Non-bronchodilating anti-asthmatic drug. Reduced excitability of mast cells | ||||
| Hormonal drugs | Kestin (syrup) | Inhibitor of the effects of histamine release | Drowsiness, dry mouth | ||
| Excipients | Calcium gluconate | Urticaria, dermatitis | Replenishment of calcium deficiency | Dehydration (diarrhea, nephrourolithiasis), children under one year old | Constipation, nausea, vomiting |
Barrier medications are designed to protect against exposure to allergens. Medicines are made from microdispersed cellulose powder. At the point of spraying, they form a gel-like barrier film. The isolated nasal mucosa is not attacked. Nazaval helps to effectively combat the penetration of allergen into the blood.
How does a dog allergy manifest?
If communication with a dog leads to unpleasant sensations (sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion), you should consult a doctor to rule out an allergy. Some people develop skin rashes in areas where saliva or dog claw marks remain. All dogs produce allergens (proteins) found in their fur, dander, and urinary system. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, existing research does not support the conclusion that dogs are hypoallergenic. According to statistics, 37-47% of American families have dogs. In our country, according to a 2020 social survey conducted by Kyiv, about 10% of the population has dogs.
At the same time, some breeds are conditionally classified as hypoallergenic. These are poodles, Can Diaguas or Portuguese Wasserhunds, and some types of terriers. However, there is no scientific basis for such a division between breeds. One study from 2011 compared dust samples from homes with dog breeds that are conventionally classified as hypoallergenic to dust samples from homes with dog breeds that are not classified as hypoallergenic. The level of dog allergenicity in all houses was almost the same.
The dog carries a lot of particulate matter on its coat, including pollen, house and street dust, which provoke an immune response to the irritant. In this case, the problem is not in the dog, but in substances that, for various reasons, get and remain in its fur. Only an allergist can determine the causes of any allergic reaction to animals. To do this, a test is performed using a small amount of dog allergen extract (saliva, fur hairs, or other material taken from the animal). The extract is applied to a person's skin and a puncture is made using a small sterile probe, allowing the liquid to seep under the skin. If swelling, redness or other signs of an allergic reaction form at the puncture site within 15-20 minutes, the person is diagnosed with an allergy to dogs.
Folk remedies for hypersensitivity
The use of traditional medicine recommendations for the treatment of allergies to cats is risky and ineffective for the following reasons:
- 1. The use of folk remedies is based on observations, but has no scientific basis.
- 2. The mechanisms of action of herbs, bee products and other substances have not been clarified.
- 3. There is no list of contraindications and side effects for each treatment method.
- 4. Some recipes use strong allergens as raw materials.
- 5. There is no reliable evidence of effectiveness.
At the same time, folk recipes are popular among people who do not use chemicals. In some cases, they resort to herbs when they do not want to see a doctor. This approach aggravates the course of the disease.
Before trying any of the traditional medicine remedies at home, you should consult an allergist.
Popular folk remedies:
| Means | Application |
| Bee bar | They are purchased from apiaries in finished form. The beekeeping product contains a mixture of wax, pollen, honey, propolis, secretion of the wax and salivary glands of bees. To improve your health, chew 1 teaspoon per day. |
| Mumiyo | 1 g of mumiyo is dissolved in 1 liter of water. Adults should take 100 ml of solution per day, children 50 ml per day. You can divide the portion into two doses - in the morning and before bed. Course - 2 times a year for 20 days |
| Dandelion juice |
|
| Dandelion and burdock roots |
|
| Birch buds |
|
| Celery | Freshly squeezed juice is prepared from the roots and stalks of celery. Drink immediately after preparation, 100 ml 4 times a day. Course - 30 days |
Can dog allergies develop over time?
Allergies to dogs can develop over time. The reasons for what is happening are associated with the action of various factors acting alone or simultaneously. These include:
- Lifestyle;
- decreased immunity under the influence of stress, a developing disease, or another allergen that increases the load on the immune system;
- insufficient contact with allergens, which leads to a weakening of the body’s protective functions;
- ecology;
- other factors.
There is a hygiene hypothesis according to which, due to excessive human concern for cleanliness and sterility, doctors are more likely to diagnose allergies, asthma, intestinal inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Erica von Mutzius, a pediatric allergist at the University of Munich and one of the first doctors to study the hygiene hypothesis, concluded that lack of exposure to bacteria, viruses and allergens in children prevents the full development of the immune system. As a result, the likelihood of developing immune disorders in adulthood increases.
According to an American study, living with animals during the first years of a child’s life strengthens the immune system. The less often children come into contact with animals, the more exposed they are to allergens.
ALT method
Autolymphocytotherapy is a method of treating allergies by introducing the patient’s own blood lymphocytes. As a result, sensitivity to irritating factors decreases.
Lymphocytes are immune cells. They are obtained after physical purification of 8 ml of venous blood. The concentrate is diluted with saline solution. In cases of hypersensitivity to cats, the drug is administered subcutaneously. Adults are prescribed 8 injections per month, children - 6. The duration of stable remission is about 5 years.
The method is effective in 98% of cases. Does not cause side effects, is safe.
Contraindications to ALT are:
Can a dog allergy go away?
An allergy to dogs does not go away without treatment, which is selected by an allergist after examining the patient. If you are allergic to dogs, symptoms include:
- Nasal congestion and runny nose are treated with steroid nasal sprays, oral antihistamines and other medications;
- watery eyes and redness of the eyes - with antihistamine eye drops.
If prescribed by a doctor, dog allergy vaccinations are recommended to help the immune system become more resistant to allergens.
Are animal allergies inherited?
Allergies to pets in individual family members begin to develop from the moment they appear in the house. The body's susceptibility to allergens can occur for various reasons: due to low immunity, stress, and the development of inflammatory processes. As a result, the immune system cannot cope with the effects of allergens, and their prolonged presence in the house leads to the formation of genetic hypersensitivity to certain irritants. Thus, allergies can be inherited. However, this does not mean that a person should be isolated from communication with animals. If allergy symptoms appear, you need to seek help from a doctor and determine the cause of the allergic reaction.
Which doctor should I contact?
If any signs of allergy appear, you should visit a therapist, who will prescribe not only general tests: blood, urine, but also a complete biochemical blood test. An alarming sign may be an increase in the number of leukocytes, eosinophils and basophils. If C-reactive protein and an increased level of antibodies are present in the blood, you should urgently visit an allergist who will prescribe an extensive examination:
- blood immunogram to determine the general state of immunity and identify the sensitivity of lymphocytes to proteins produced by animals;
- passing prick tests (applying skin tests with allergens).
If there is a mild form of allergy (urticaria, dermatitis), treatment is prescribed by a therapist. In the event of a complication of the allergic reaction and signs of asthma, the patient is referred for examination by a pulmonologist. If kidney damage is detected, a consultation with a nephrologist will be required.
Attention! If allergy symptoms are too alarming and develop very quickly, you should call an ambulance as quickly as possible.
How to get rid of an allergy to animal fur?
To get rid of an allergy to animal fur, you need to stop contacting the irritant. If for some reason this cannot be done, you need to:
- minimize the time you spend interacting with your pet;
- keep a cat or dog outside or in a separate room;
- do not allow the pet to touch the bedding, clothing, or personal hygiene products of the allergic person;
- use air filters;
- carry out wet cleaning more often using detergents;
- To reduce allergy symptoms, use nasal sprays and antihistamines as prescribed by your doctor.
After interacting with animals, family members may carry particles of animal hair on themselves. To minimize the symptoms of a wool allergy on clothing in an allergic person, we encourage family members to shower and change clothes.
The effect of allergens is reduced by regular bathing of pets. To do this, you need to use special detergents, but do not forget that they only temporarily reduce the effect of allergens.
The Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association reports that there are no recommendations that dogs or cats should not be owned to prevent allergies, even if there is no allergy sufferer in the family. The results of many studies show that pets neither increase nor decrease the risk of developing allergies. At the same time, some studies say that keeping pets in the house protects against allergies. If you don't know if you or your family has a pet allergy, get an allergy test done before you bring your pet into your home.
How to live with a cat for an allergy sufferer
Antihistamines for cats: what to give for allergies
If there is a simultaneous presence of a cat in a person’s life and an allergy to it, you need to remember a few simple tips that will help you live with a furry friend with the least harm to your health:
- regularly dust the house and vacuum;
- Frequently wash all bedding on which the cat sleeps;
- Limit your cat's access to certain areas of the house. An allergy sufferer's bedroom is a cat's no-go zone;
- rooms with hardwood floors retain fewer allergens and are easier to clean than carpeting;
- If there are only a few rooms in the house with carpet, you should keep the cat away from them;
- upholstered furniture creates conditions for the accumulation of allergens, so cats should be kept outside the premises in which they are kept.
Organizing the animal's own place to rest
