What is pet allergy?
According to Dr. P Venkata Krishnan - internal medicine specialist, Artemis Hospital (India), pet allergy is an allergic reaction that often occurs when exposed to proteins in the saliva, urine or dead skin flakes of animals such as dogs, cats, birds and rodents... When people who are susceptible to allergies come into contact with these substances, the immune system will release chemicals such as histamine to protect the body. Allergy symptoms may appear as phenomena such as sneezing, itching, rash.
According to a study published in the Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, pet allergies are becoming increasingly common, with cat and dog allergies affecting 10 to 20 percent of the world's population.
What are the symptoms of pet allergies?
Symptoms of pet allergies vary widely and often include symptoms such as:
- Sneeze
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Breast tenderness
- Short of breath
- Skin rash or hives
Animal allergy symptoms usually occur immediately after exposure to the allergen in the pet, and can range from mild to severe depending on the sensitivity of the individual. Symptoms can include irritation, swelling, and pain in the eyes, and in severe cases, the allergic person may have an asthma attack.
