According to the available statistics, every fifth of our compatriots has symptoms of allergy to animal hair. Moreover, this common ailment affects not only adults, but also children. In today's article you will find detailed information about this ailment.
Stages of the development of the disease
An allergen that enters the human body is immediately attacked by the immune system. After this, the cells absorb some part of the molecules of the destroyed foreign agent. Due to this, they produce antigen and with the help of circulating blood disseminate information about the allergen to all systems and organs.
In case of repeated contact with the agent, the cells of the body immediately begin to fight it. In the area of ββcontact with the allergen, blood vessels dilate, due to which lymphocytes gather to a dangerous area. The more they appear in the place of contact, the more pronounced will be the symptoms of an allergy to animal hair.
At the stage of clinical manifestations, the respiratory and sometimes digestive systems are affected. Redness and irritation may occur on human skin. The reaction rate directly depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Usually, the first symptoms of an allergy to animal hair begin to appear within an hour and a half from the moment of contact.
How is this disease manifested?
The main symptoms of this ailment are in many respects similar to those that are characteristic of an allergy to pollen of plants. As a rule, the disease is accompanied by lacrimation, sneezing, nasal congestion and even asthma attacks.
Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, symptoms can occur from a few hours to six months. It is important that during this entire period the patient is under the supervision of specialists. A person prone to allergies to animal hair may develop eczema, urticaria, and neuroderma. In most cases, such patients have severe itching, swelling of the eyelids, shortness of breath and asthma attacks.
Cat Allergy: Adult Symptoms
The reason for the development of this disease is usually not the animals themselves, but the secret that is secreted by their skin. Representatives of the cat family carefully monitor the cleanliness of their body, so they constantly lick themselves. As a result of these actions, allergenic protein gets not only on their hair, but also where they sit or sleep.
It has been proven that males secrete more of this substance than females. Symptoms of allergy to cats in adults are manifested in the form of nasal congestion and itching. Also, patients have increased tearing, swelling of the face and frequent dry cough. Often, such patients receive complaints of sore throat, hives, hoarseness and shortness of breath. In especially severe cases, it comes to an asthmatic attack and Quincke's edema.
Dog allergy
The skin of these pets secrete Can F1. High concentrations of this allergen are observed in representatives of shorthair breeds. On the body of furry dogs, it is present, but not in such quantities. Even with careful care of the animal, its skin will not stop producing a substance that causes a negative reaction of the human body. This allergen accumulates on furniture, carpets, curtains and toys. Moreover, its viability is maintained for a rather long period.
Most often, an allergy to dogs manifests itself in the form of a dry cough, redness of the eyes, swelling of the nasopharynx and increased lacrimation. Often, patients have severe skin itching and hoarseness. Especially acutely these symptoms are felt by people suffering from bronchial asthma. Such patients may experience an asthma attack and Quincke's edema.
Diagnostic Methods
Having figured out how an allergy to animal hair is manifested, you need to say a few words about what tests and studies are prescribed to identify the problem. In most cases, patients are advised to take scarification skin tests. This analysis is performed using a special tool that is used to make a notch on the inside of the forearm.
Also, patients are prescribed prik testing. The technique of its implementation is similar to a scarification test. But in this case, a needle with a stop is used as a tool.
A good method for identifying an allergen is considered to be intradermal tests. In this case, the reagent is administered using an insulin syringe. The presence of allergies is judged by the size of the blisters that appear.
One of the most accurate and effective diagnostic methods is recognized by the Voll computer technique.
To obtain reliable results a few days before visiting the treatment room, you need to stop taking antihistamines. Contraindications to the tests are: tuberculosis, pregnancy and infectious processes. You can not perform such tests during an exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Principles of Therapy
Those who want to figure out how to cure an allergy to animal hair need to remember that if the first symptoms of this disease occur, you should consult a specialist. Only in this way can you completely eliminate a health problem and prevent the development of serious complications.
As for treatment, doctors distinguish three main stages, including:
- Antiallergic therapy. It consists in the use of antihistamines.
- Symptomatic therapy involving the use of anti-asthma drugs, eye drops and nasal sprays.
- Immunotherapy, consisting in subcutaneous administration of small amounts of antigen.
The most effective pills for allergies to animal hair include drugs such as Suprastin, Loratadin, Claritin, Nazonex, Astelin, Cirtec, Zirtec and Flonaz.
What is the danger of this disease?
A fur allergy is considered one of the most common health problems. She is not peculiar to seasonality, and it can manifest itself at any age. This disease is dangerous not only for adults, but also for children.
With incorrect or untimely therapy, an allergy to pet hair is fraught with serious consequences. In the best case, it will cause constant stress, irritability, fatigue, headache and decreased immunity.
In especially advanced situations, it leads to the development of chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, rhinitis or asthma. Theoretically, anaphylactic shock, ending in swelling of the larynx and the death of the patient, is not excluded.
General recommendations
To prevent the allergy symptoms of animal hair from returning to your life, you need to follow a few simple rules. First of all, you should avoid all kinds of contacts with our smaller brothers. If you already have a furry pet, it is advisable to rearrange it in good hands.
If you plan to visit friends who have dogs or cats, take antihistamines shortly before your intended visit. In addition, ask the receiving party not to let their animals into the room intended for you.
Do wet cleaning more often, paying particular attention to corners and inaccessible places where allergen can accumulate. Try not to use a vacuum cleaner, as this device raises the smallest particles of dust that can stay in the air for a long time. Instead of thick curtains, hang light curtains on the windows. Ventilate the living area more often and, if possible, get an ionizer, a powerful ventilation system or an air conditioner equipped with an air purification function.
Non-allergenic animals
As a rule, it is very difficult for people suffering from this disease to choose a pet. Therefore, many of them are interested in which animal to get, if there is an allergy to wool. In such cases, experts recommend keeping aquarium fish, bald guinea pigs or chinchillas at home.
The list of allowed animals also includes exotic specimens, such as Madagascar cockroaches, snakes, lizards, frogs and turtles. However, all these animals, frankly, are a big lover. After all, not everyone will agree that a reptile will exist next to it.
Cats and dogs for allergy sufferers
If you, in spite of everything, still decided to get a dog, then pay attention to the Mexican bare breed. There is no hair on the body of these animals. But this does not mean that they can not cause allergies. To minimize the risk of exacerbation of the disease, regularly wash the animal and make sure that particles of its saliva do not get into your nose.
Hypoallergenic breeds also include Yorkshire terriers, poodles, short-haired schnauzers, dwarf spitz dogs, papillons, Chinese crested, Shih Tzu, Samoyeds, Bichon and Maltese.
As for cats, you will have to make a choice between Devon Rex, Javanese, Cornish Rex, Don and Canadian Sphynx. In addition, hypoallergenic animals include representatives of the Siberian, Russian blue, oriental and Balinese breed. Many of them have a very specific appearance and practically have no undercoat, and some representatives are completely bald.
Before you get a four-legged friend, be sure to consult your doctor. But in this case, you are not safe from the onset of symptoms of the disease. Therefore, having a dog or cat from the above list, forget about the precautions. Bathe your pet regularly with special shampoos, cut and comb the hair. Try to make sure that the animal does not enter the room in which you sleep. Systematically wet the house and periodically ventilate the rooms.