The most commonly known antihistamine is Benadryl, says Dr. Qamar, who explains that there are a few different types of antihistamines. “For mild pet allergies with sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, the first-line treatment is antihistamine pills,” says Dr. The best treatment for pet allergies will depend on the severity of a patient’s allergies. These proteins can be found in your blood even if you do not have an allergic reaction to pets yet, indicating that you may be at risk for developing allergies in the future, Dr. Blood tests can be used to identify the presence of specific proteins in your blood that are in pet dander.“This is done to determine which allergens cause allergic reactions and whether they are related to pet allergens,” Dr. They involve pricking the skin with tiny amounts of different allergens and observing how the body responds. Skin-prick tests are medical tests done at your doctor’s office.These include skin-prick tests and blood tests. “The easiest and most fool-proof way of determining if you have animal allergies is through an allergy test,” Dr. ![]() Others may be around multiple animals, making it tricky to distinguish whether the family dog or cat (or both) is triggering their symptoms. For example, people with seasonal or year-round allergies may already have allergy symptoms, which makes it hard to decipher what causes them, he explains. Many people know they have pet allergies when their allergy symptoms flare after being around animals, Dr. But more recent data showed only a small variability between the two: In subjects 6 years and older, allergies occurred at a rate of 12.1% for cats and 11.8% for dogs in the United States. One older study found that cat allergies were more common than dog allergies. According to a 2018 study, individuals with cat or dog allergies who also had asthma were at increased risk of asthma attacks when chronically exposed to their triggers. And while pet allergy symptoms can be annoying, they are treatable with allergy medications or allergy shots for severe cases.īut if you have asthma, pet allergies may make your asthma symptoms worse. ![]() However, the symptoms for cat and dog allergies are the same, which means cat allergy medicines are the same as dog allergy medicines. It’s possible to be allergic only to dogs, only allergic to cats, or allergic to both–but cats and dogs produce different allergens. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or chest tightness.How to tell if you’re allergic to dogs and catsĪccording to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, symptoms of pet allergies include: “ Carpets, bedding, furniture, and clothing can all become stained with pet saliva,” Dr. Qamar.īesides direct contact with cat or dog dander, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to a pet’s saliva, urine, sweat, or fur, which are all sources of allergens, says Alex Schechter, DVM, a veterinarian at Burrwood Veterinary in Royal Oak, Michigan. While pet allergies are common, they’re especially prevalent in people who have a family history of allergies, says Dr. So, how many people are allergic to dogs and cats? According to a 2018 study, as many as 10% to 20% of the worldwide population has pet dander allergies. That means even households without pets can be exposed to dander if a pet owner enters their home, he adds. “Pet dander is very light and can stick to clothing, skin, hair, and numerous other surfaces,” Dr. What’s dander? It’s dead skin cells that are shed from pets, explains Manan Shah, MD, an otolaryngologist at The Colorado Ear, Nose & Throat Group in Lakewood, CO and co-founder and CEO of at-home allergy testing and treatment company Wyndly. “ Pet allergy occurs when our body’s allergic system becomes activated with any pet dander exposure,” says Niha Qamar, MD, allergist, immunologist, and co-author of What? I Could Be Allergic to That? You’re allergic to your new cat or dog, and you’re not sure if there’s anything you can do about it. Soon you’ve got a new pet in your home, and it doesn’t take long for the sneezing and itchy, watery eyes to start. ![]() Or, there’s a friendly stray dog that looks hungry hanging around your backyard. Picture this: You see a sign for free kittens - their wide-eyed, fluffy faces are just too sweet and adorable to resist.
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