INTRODUCTIONDoes your child always have a stuffy nose after visiting the petting zoo? Do your eyes water easily when you visit friends who own cats or dogs? This is likely due to an allergy to mammals or birds.ALLERGYNormally, our immune system eliminates foreign and potentially pathogenic organisms that enter our bodies (such as bacteria and viruses). In the case of an allergy, the immune system is disrupted. The body reacts hypersensitively to usually harmless substances (called allergens) of various kinds. In mammal and bird allergies, the body reacts to substances that adhere to the dander, hair, or feathers of these animals. Hair and feathers are outgrowths of the skin (epithelium). The substances that cause the allergic reaction are therefore called epithelia. Allergens are also present in the saliva and urine of pets.
Of the allergies to epithelia, cat and dog allergies are the most common. In the Netherlands, there are no fewer than 1.35 million cats and 1.85 million dogs. Cats produce the most potent allergens. Allergies to horses, cows, guinea pigs, and rabbits have also been reported. An allergic reaction to birds is most commonly seen in pigeons, canaries, parrots, and parakeets.CAT AND DOG ALLERGYDander and hair from cats and dogs are generally not harmful. Symptoms only arise if a patient has an allergic reaction to them. Similar to hay fever and dust mite allergy, this is called an inhalation allergy. This means that an allergic reaction occurs as a result of inhaling certain substances. The air inhaled indoors contains all kinds of microscopic particles. If dogs or cats live in a house, the inhaled air also contains the allergens from these animals' skin. The allergens of different cat breeds are the same. Those of different dog breeds are also similar. Unlike hay fever, pet allergies are not seasonal but occur year-round. The doctor diagnoses a cat or dog allergy based on the patient's symptom pattern, combined with a skin test and blood test.CAT AND DOG ALLERGY COMPLAINTSSymptoms of cat and dog allergies primarily affect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. They include a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, redness and swelling of the skin, coughing, and shortness of breath with wheezing. Common accompanying symptoms may include fatigue, headache, and lethargy. Symptoms usually appear within half an hour of contact with the allergens. This is called the early reaction. Sometimes it can take 6-24 hours for the body to react allergically – the so-called late reaction.WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ALLERGY ATTACK?When allergens are inhaled, the first symptoms of an allergic reaction occur in the mucous membranes of the nose and lungs, among other places. This reaction causes sensitivity to the allergens to gradually worsen over time. Consequently, episodes of nasal and eye complaints and asthma attacks can occur more frequently and more severely. Over the years, nasal and eye complaints caused by cat and dog allergies can spread to the lungs, potentially leading to (allergic) asthma. Given the severity of asthma, treatment for mammal and bird allergies should therefore be aimed at preventing the development of allergic asthma.SANITATIONSanitizing literally means "to make healthy" or "to clean." Allergic symptoms resulting from pet allergies will disappear once a patient is no longer exposed to the allergens. The best solution is therefore to remove the affected pets from the living environment. If the animals are removed from the home, school, or workplace, the symptoms will not disappear immediately. Research has shown that cat allergens are still found in rooms years after a cat has been removed from a home. Removing pets will not always be easy. The emotional bond between humans and animals should not be underestimated, especially when it concerns children. If the animals are kept for professional reasons (horse, cow) or as a hobby (cat, dog, pigeon, canary), removal may also be too drastic. If it is decided not to remove the animals from the living area, a combination of the following measures can reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Ensure smooth flooring in the bedroom and living room (for example, parquet, linoleum, or tiles). This is easy to keep clean. Replace upholstered furniture with leather or plastic furniture, especially in the bedroom. Wipe furniture and floors regularly with a damp cloth. Vacuum daily with a vacuum cleaner that, if possible, has a built-in allergen filter. Keep pets in a cage, run, or stable outside the home. Do not allow pets inside the home, especially during shedding season (hair and feathers contain allergens), and absolutely never allow them to lie on the bed.
Even if a cat has slept on a pillow just once, a lot of allergens remain on it. If the allergic person sleeps on that same pillow, these allergens are close to the nose and mouth, allowing them to enter the body. Since humans spend about a third of their day in the bedroom, and the duration of allergen exposure is therefore long, cleaning this room and the bed is very important. Unfortunately, cleaning is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Therefore, it is wise to only make any actual changes to the home's furnishings after consulting a doctor or a qualified community nurse.PET ALLERGY TREATMENTA pet allergy can be treated with medication or an injection (hyposensitization treatment).
Medication:
Pet allergy medications are available in various forms, such as tablets, nasal sprays, inhalers, or eye drops. These medications can suppress allergic symptoms, such as a runny nose, but do not cure the allergy. Many pet allergy medications must be used for years (as long as symptoms persist).
Hyposensitization:
If the cat, dog, or horse cannot be removed or avoided (for example, professionally, as in the case of a community nurse), a hyposensitization treatment can address the cause of the allergy. Hyposensitization is an injection treatment in which the patient is administered a small, increasing concentration of pet allergens. The body will then produce "protective antibodies" and tolerate more allergens. As a result, the body's immune system will eventually react less severely or even not at all to pets. With hyposensitization, symptoms will decrease during the course of treatment. To achieve a lasting effect, it is important to strive to continue treatment for at least three years, although this can be deviated from in individual cases. If the hyposensitization treatment is stopped after this period, in most cases the patient will be free of their allergy symptoms or their symptoms will have significantly reduced. |
