Cat and dog allergies can be prevented and overcome, you know!

Definition

What is an animal allergy to cats and dogs?

Cat and dog animal allergies are the immune system's reaction to the allergens that come from these two animals. In this case, the triggers are cats and dogs, which often become pets.

For those with allergies, contact with cats and dogs will trigger a reaction with the same characteristics as allergic rhinitis. People with a more sensitive immune system may experience asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and a loud breath (wheezing).

Animal allergy symptoms will decrease when you avoid the triggers. However, this may be difficult because the allergen comes from your own pet. Prevention will also be complicated if the pet cat roams freely in the house.

However, you can treat allergy symptoms in several ways. If it's hard to avoid the trigger, there are treatment options you can take. Treatment should be started with a consultation with a doctor so that the results are more optimal.

Symptoms

What are the characteristics of cat and dog allergies?

If you are allergic to cats and dogs, touching or being in close contact with these two animals can trigger an allergic reaction, which is characterized by:

• sneeze,
• cough,
• itchy and watery eyes,
• a runny or blocked nose,
• increased production of respiratory mucus,
• facial tenderness,
• the eyelids are swollen and appear bluish, as well
• itching sensation of the nose, roof of the mouth, or throat.

In people with asthma, there are dangers that arise from raising cats. You may experience worsening asthma symptoms, including:

• hard to breathe,
• chest tightness or pain,
• breath sounded out loud, and
• sleep disturbances due to shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing.

In some sufferers, the characteristics of animal allergies can also appear on the skin. Allergy symptoms on the skin are usually caused by direct contact between the skin and the allergens. Symptoms include hives (hives), eczema, and a red rash.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Most of the symptoms of cat and dog allergies are similar to those of the common cold. Medicines for colds certainly cannot treat these symptoms because the triggers are different. Therefore, you need to see a doctor if your symptoms last up to two weeks.

You should also see a doctor if your symptoms get worse, for example, closing your nostrils or causing insomnia. Go to the hospital immediately if you are easily short of breath even if you only do light activity.

In rare cases, animal allergies can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This dangerous reaction can cause shortness of breath, a drastic drop in blood pressure, fainting, and even death if not treated immediately.

Cause

What causes cat and dog allergies?

Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to foreign substances that enter the body. The foreign substance is actually harmless, but the immune system mistakenly recognizes it as a threat.

Allergy triggers are called allergens. In the case of cat and dog allergies, the trigger comes from proteins in dead skin cells, saliva, urine, and dandruff that stick to the bodies or hair of these two animals. So, the trigger for allergies is not just the scattered cat or dog hair.

The allergens from the bodies of cats and dogs are so small and mild that they can float in the air for hours. These fine particles also often stick to clothes, upholstered furniture, carpets, to the sheets and pillowcases that you use every day.

When you inhale an allergen, the immune system responds by sending antibodies and various chemicals to the airways and lungs. This response causes inflammation as well as allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and an itchy throat.

Who is at risk for cat and dog allergies?

Cat and dog allergies are very common in any part of the world. You don't even have to raise an animal to experience this condition. Previous studies have also shown that allergens from animals can spread inside and outside the home.

The allergens in your home come from the animals you raise. Meanwhile, outdoor allergens come from animal hair that spreads through schools, public transportation, to workplaces that are not related to animals.

Although it's very common, your chances of developing cat and dog allergies are higher if you have a family history of asthma or other allergies. Children who have never played with animals are also more prone to developing animal allergies as adults.

Medicine and medication

How to diagnose cat and dog allergies?

The doctor will first ask about your symptoms. The inside of your nose will also be examined for signs of allergies in the form of swelling of the nasal tissues or a pale and bluish discoloration of the tissues.

In order to ascertain triggers for allergies, doctors usually perform allergy tests by means of a skin prick test. The trick, the doctor will put a little allergen into the top layer of skin on your arm, then puncture the skin layer with a small needle. The doctor then observes the symptoms that appear after 15 minutes.

If you cannot have a skin prick test because of a condition, there is another test in the form of a blood test. This test helps your doctor identify allergy-causing antibodies in your body and how sensitive your immune system is to allergens.

What treatment options are available?

The first step to treating cat and dog allergies is avoiding their triggers. If you have pets in your home, you may be advised to limit your interactions with them.

Since allergens from animals are almost impossible to avoid, your doctor may also advise you to take allergy medications. Medicines that can help treat cat allergies include:

• Antihistamines. This medication blocks the production of histamine, a chemical in allergic reactions that causes itching, sneezing and a runny nose.
• Decongestants. Available as a nasal spray, decongestants help to deflate the swollen nose so that you can breathe freely.
• Corticosteroids. This prescription drug relieves inflammation and relieves symptoms in the respiratory system. The effect also tends to be faster.
• Leukotriene modifiers. This drug blocks the action of leukotrienes, which are chemicals in allergic reactions that act like histamine.

Prevention

How to prevent cat and dog allergies?

Here are some preventive tips you can take to reduce the risk of animal allergies, especially cats and dogs.

• Avoid allergy triggers as best as possible.
• Change sheets and pillowcases regularly.
• Clean the room regularly.
• Using a HEPA filter (high efficiency particulate air) at home.
• Provide a special cage or room for animals.
• Bathe animals and clean their cages regularly.
• Do not allow animals to roam the house, especially the bedroom.

If you are a dog lover and have severe allergies, you may be wondering what breed of dog is right for you. Indeed there is no breed of dog (breed) which is 100% hypoallergenic (non-allergenic). However, there is breed which has " consistent and predictable coats "Which is more suitable for allergy sufferers.

Here are eleven dog breeds that dog experts think are safe for people with allergies:

1. Bedlington Terrier
2. Bichon Frize
3. Chinese Crested
4. Irish Water Spaniel
5. Kerry Blue Terrier
6. Maltese
7. Poodle
8. Portuguese Water Dog
9. Schnauzer
10. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
11. Xoloitzcuintli

Dog fur from breed it does not fall off easily so there are not many allergens in the house. You should also consider choosing a dog from breed purely because their fur is more predictable.

Pets do provide happiness for their owners. However, the risk of allergies also increases if you have a family history of allergies or too often let them hang around the house.

If you feel you have symptoms of cat and dog allergies, try to get your condition checked by a doctor to be sure. Limit interactions with your pet for the time being and follow the recommended medication until symptoms improve.