Per allergies refer to a condition when the immune system of a person overreacts when the person is exposed to pets. Pets may include one or more of breeds like cats, dogs, rabbits, mice or rats. Most people exhibit symptoms of pet allergies when they touch these animals or come in close contact with them.

The common symptoms of pet allergy include red eyes, itchy eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, coughing, hay fever, skin rashes, etc. The severity of symptoms or the reaction often varies from one person to another. If left untreated, severe forms of pet allergies can lead to asthma or other life-threatening situations.

What Causes Pet Allergies?

All pets have a gland in their skin that secretes a protein which may trigger allergic reactions in some humans. These allergy causing proteins are collectively called allergens. In addition to the skin secretion, allergens are also present in the saliva and urine of a pet. The allergic reactions from saliva or urine arise when the allergens in these become air borne after they dry out.

The dead skin cells shed by animals may also set off allergic reactions. The dead cells become air-borne after falling off wherever the animal goes around. When a person with pet allergy inhales these dead cells, the airways of the lungs experience a reaction and create breathing difficulties.

It is important to remember that greater the amount of pet dander, the more intense will be the allergic reaction. So the first and most effective strategy to control allergy is to reduce the pet dander. You may consider going for animals that shed less dander like the Portugese water dog, the bichon fries or any size of poodle.

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