Allergies occur when there is a negative reaction to the pet. Pet allergies are normally caused by feces, saliva, flakes of skin or urine. Contrary to what many believe, fur is quite harmless on its own but the ability of it trapping allergens like mold and dust is what posses harm. Children are more susceptible to suffer allergic reactions than adults. Some of the pets that usually cause this problem include: cats, guinea pigs, hamsters and dogs.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cpoQ–FYfc” width=”220″]What Are the Symptoms of Pet Allergies?
If you keep these kinds of pets around, watch out for some common symptoms of allergy infections. They include:
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
- Rashes
- Sneezing
- Itchiness
Bear in mind that the symptoms can occur even when the pet is absent. This is because of the fact that the allergen are already in the environment. This is actually why removal of the pet will not be of much help once the symptoms begin to show.
What is the Diagnosis for Pet Allergies?
Once you identify the signs of allergy, seek medical assistance immediately. An allergist is the specialist who will conduct essential tests and prescribe required treatment plan. In order to establish the particular case, skin sample will be taken from the patient for comprehensive testing. The procedure normally takes approx 20 minutes for allergy to be indicated.
What Are the Ways for Preventing Allergies?
The risk factor of contracting allergies is quite high in children that have one or both parents suffering from the condition. However, the kind of allergy that a child tends to develop may not be the exact kind that the parent has. The best way of preventing these allergic reactions is to wait until the child is 6 years or older before getting a pet. As they get older, the immune system becomes stronger and thus can fight an allergy.
What Pets Are More Allergenic?
Many people wonder whether there are some types of pets that are more allergenic. All pet allergies have not yet been studied to the extent of revealing concrete evidence on this regard. Vets and allergists have differing views on this subject matter. It’s widely assumed that some breeds of pets are more allergenic due to their fur. This is erroneous mainly due to the reason that allergens hide in dander more than in the fur.
What Are the Ways for Treating these Allergies?
The treatment plan will largely depend on the type of allergy present. Nasal sprays are commonly prescribed by doctors to alleviate the symptoms. In cases where the condition is severe, the patient may be referred to an allergist for the best treatment.
If the child is 2 years or older, pet allergies can be managed effectively since there are readily available shots for allergies. The shots are only designed to treat specific allergens. Studies reveal that the shots are quite effective in most cases. Apart from reducing severity of symptoms, they also prevent future infections by a very huge percentage.
How to Manage Serious Allergic Reactions?
A child may have a serious allergic reaction that may need epinephrine and medical attention. Learn to recognize and manage serious allergic reactions my attending first aid classes with a provider near you.