Many people think that pet allergy is provoked by the fur of cats and dogs. Researchers have found, however, that the major allergens are proteins in the saliva. These proteins stick to the fur when the animal licks itself. Therefore, often it is pet dander, the skin flakes shed from an animal’s body similar to dandruff or pet pollen, that bears this allergy-causing saliva and triggers allergic reactions in people.

Urine is also a source of allergy-causing proteins, as is the skin. When the substance carrying the proteins dries, the proteins can then float into the air. Cats may be more likely than dogs to cause allergic reactions because they lick themselves more, may be held more, and spend more time in the house, close to humans.

Some rodents, such as guinea pigs and gerbils, have become increasingly popular as household pets. They, too, can cause allergic reactions in some people, as can mice and rats. Urine is the major source of allergens from these animals.

Allergies to animals can take 2 years or more to develop and may not decrease until 6 months or more after ending contact with the animal. Carpet and furniture are a reservoir for pet allergens, and the allergens can remain in them for 4 to 6 weeks. In addition, these allergens can stay in household air for months after the animal has been removed. Therefore, it is wise for people with an animal allergy to check with the landlord or previous owner to find out if furry pets lived on the premises.

Controlling Cat & Dog Allergies Tips

Actually, these are tips for controlling allergies to all the furry creatures you can’t help but cuddle.

If you or your child is allergic to furry pets, especially cats, the best way to avoid allergic reactions is to find them another home. If you are like most people who are attached to their pets, that is usually not a desirable option. There are ways, however, to help lower the levels of animal allergens in the air, which may reduce allergic reactions.

• Bathe your cat weekly and brush it more frequently (ideally, a non-allergic person should do this).
• Keep cats out of your bedroom.
• Remove carpets and soft furnishings, which collect animal allergens.
• Use a vacuum cleaner and room air cleaners with HEPA filters.
• Wear a face mask while house and cat cleaning.

Good News for Pet Allergy Sufferers

Research on allergies is focused on understanding what happens to the human body during the allergic process – the sequence of events leading to the allergic response and the factors responsible for allergic diseases.

Scientists supported by NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) found that, during the first years of their lives, children raised in a house with two or more dogs or cats may be less likely to develop allergic diseases as compared with children raised without pets. The striking finding here is that high pet exposure early in life appears to protect some children from not only pet allergy but also other types of common allergies, such as allergy to house dust mites, ragweed, and grass. This new finding is changing the way scientists think about pet exposure. Scientists must now figure out how pet exposure causes a general shift of the immune system away from an allergic response.

The results of this and a number of other studies suggest that bacteria carried by pets may be responsible for holding back the immune system’s allergic response. These bacteria release molecules called endotoxin. Some researchers think endotoxin is the molecule responsible for shifting the developing immune system away from responding to allergens through a class of lymphocytes called Th-2 cells. (These cells are associated with allergic reactions.) Instead, endotoxin may stimulate the immune system to block allergic reactions.

If scientists can find out exactly what it is about pets or the bacteria they carry that prevents the allergic response, they might be able to develop a new allergy treatment.

While general blood tests give a picture of your overall health, specific allergy related blood tests can measure levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a key antibody that’s released during an allergic reaction.  While everyone’s body produces IgE, people who have allergies make larger quantities of this protective protein.

A blood test called RAST (radioallergosorbent) measures the levels of specific allergy related substances in your blood.

Blood testing for allergies is another good option particularly if:

• You cannot suspend antihistamine therapy which may inhibit skin tests;
• You are so sensitive to the allergen that the test might be risky;
• You have widespread skin disease making skin testing difficult; or
• If your skin cannot be skin tested for some other reason.

One problem with both blood and skin tests for food allergies is they are highly sensitive. So if you do have any remote or slight food allergy, the tests are likely to catch it. However, the tests are not specific enough. This means that the tests often are positive even when there is no significant food allergy.

Additionally, your physician may have you perform “use or elimination testing,” which is often used to check for food or drug allergies. Here, you will simply have to avoid certain items to see if you get better, or use suspected items to see if you feel worse.

• The results are available immediately
• They can be more sensitive to subtle allergies
• They are less expensive

What are the different allergy skin tests?

1. Scratch (Puncture or Prick) Test

First, your health care provider examines the skin either on your forearm or back and cleans it with alcohol. Next, areas on your skin are marked with a pen to identify each allergen to be tested. A drop of extract for each potential allergen is placed on the corresponding mark. Now, a small disposable pricking device is used to prick the skin so the extract can enter into the outer skin layer. The skin prick is not a shot and does not cause bleeding. Lastly, the skin is closely watched for signs of a reaction, which include swelling and redness. Often such reactions occur in as little as 15 minutes.

2. Intradermal Test

First, your health care provider examines the skin either on your forearm or back and cleans it with alcohol. Then a small amount of the allergen is injected just under the skin. Lastly, you must wait about 15 minutes to see how your skin reacts.

3. Patch Test

The allergen is applied to a patch that is then placed on the skin. Sometimes, this is done to pinpoint a trigger of allergic contact dermatitis. If there are IgE’s (allergic antibodies) in your body, your skin will become irritated and may itch. This reaction means you are allergic to that substance. Patch tests take approximately 48 hours (do not bathe or swim while wearing these patches). You must return to your physician to determine whether your skin has reacted to the allergens.

Before your skin allergy test, your doctor will give you a list of medications to be avoided before the test since those drugs may interfere with the test. Specifically, allergy medicines, including over-the-counter antihistamines, stop allergic reactions, so you should not take them for 48 hours before the test. Speak to your doctor about discontinuing any allergy medicines or other medications prior to the test.

To diagnose allergies, a thorough health history review and physical examination with a physician is a great first step. If you have allergy symptoms that occur in association with exposure to certain things, that is highly significant, so make sure you tell your doctor about the association.

Allergy diagnostic tests, such as skin or blood tests, provide similar information and may confirm what your health history tells the doctor. If you and your doctor were to rely exclusively on the results of skin or blood tests (without information about your medical history and physical examination), you may potentially be misdiagnosed with having an allergy problem that you may not necessarily have.