Animal Allergies Facts
Being around furry and feathered animals can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive people. In fact, just being in an environment where an animal lives, even if they are not there at the same time as you, can be enough to set off asthma and allergy symptoms.
It is commonly believed that an animal's hair is the allergen, but this is not true. In fact, it is the proteins found in one of the following things that actually trigger symptoms:
- Animal dander, which are the dead skin flakes an animal sheds
- Animal urine
- Animal saliva
This protein travels through the air on tiny particles and lands in your nose, ears, eyes, and throat, triggering allergy and asthma symptoms directly. Most people who are sensitive to animal proteins will have a reaction right away, but others may not react until 8 to 10 hours after exposure.
What Types of Animals Have Animal Dander?
Although cats and dogs are thought of as asthma triggers most often, any animal with fur or feathers can shed the proteins that trigger asthma symptoms, including horses and pet birds.
Cats are one of the most potent asthma triggers. Cat urine is an especially strong trigger in many people.
All furred and feathered animals produce allergens, but the amount each animal produces can vary. It doesn't matter if they are short or long-haired and there really is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal.
Animals with scales or hairless skin like snakes and lizards do not usually trigger asthma symptoms.
Animal Dander and Sensitization
There has been some debate about whether exposing infants and young children to animals will sensitize the child to animal allergens, thus causing asthma to develop — or conversely, will acclimate the child to that particular set of allergens, thus producing protection.
The point is often moot anyway, as most families are reluctant to give up family pets because of the risk of asthma symptoms. There are ways to reduce exposure to animal allergens, however.
Source: AAAAI, "Tips to remember: indoor allergens." American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 01 January 2006. AAAAI. 29 Oct 2007 http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/indoorallergens.stm
