Pet Allergies

Have you ever become sick after petting or playing with your pet? Did you experience itching, coughing, watery eyes, or sneezing? If so, you may have allergies to pets—and you wouldn’t be the only one. Up to three out of ten persons are allergic to cats and dogs. The following is the basic information you need to know about this condition and its management.

Symptoms

The symptoms of pet allergies are similar to those of other allergies. If you are really allergic to pets, you can start experiencing symptoms between 15 and 30 minutes after exposure. If your allergy is moderate, though, symptoms may also start to show up several days after contact. These symptoms consist of the following:

• Sneezing
• Clogged and runny nose
• Moist eyes
• Itchy skin or eyes
• Rash/hives
• Chest constriction
• A headache
• Breathing difficulty
• The swelling of the mucous membrane in the nose and throat

Long-term exposure to a pet might cause more chronic symptoms, such as persistent nasal congestion, as opposed to the acute symptoms that result from short-term contact, which can make it seem as though the pet is not harming you. Therefore, proper diagnosis is critical.

Diagnosis

The best way to determine what you are allergic to and create a tailored treatment plan for your symptoms is to have allergy testing done by an allergist or immunologist.

Management and Treatment

Avoiding the pet that is causing the allergy as much as you can is the first course of action against it. In general, you should anticipate having allergy symptoms that are less frequent or more mildly severe when you restrict your exposure to pet allergens. Antihistamines, as well as other over-the-counter allergy drugs, may help ease symptoms in addition to avoiding pet allergens, but they aren’t ideal as a long-term solution. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) has a solid track record as an efficient type of long-term treatment.

How Can We Help?

If you suspect that you may be suffering from a pet allergy, talk to our providers at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Here, we will provide an effective diagnosis for your symptoms and treat you with proven pet allergy medication and preventative strategies. To make an appointment, please call us on 850.969.2340.