How to recognize animal allergies

Animal allergy is a disease that affects both adults and children. According to statistics, about 15% of people suffer from it. It is impossible to completely cure allergies, but it is quite possible to remove its symptoms and increase the body's resistance.

Animal allergy symptoms

The most common allergen is wool, but sometimes a negative reaction occurs to saliva, fluff or feathers. A large number of people are allergic to cats, especially neutered cats. Dogs are less likely to be allergens, and the safest in this regard are animals of long-haired breeds.

Allergies can manifest themselves in different ways, but in general, it is characterized by the following symptoms:

• rhinitis, which is an allergic rhinitis;
• rashes and itchy skin;
• choking that comes in attacks;
• hives;
• swelling;
• persistent dry cough or sneeze;
• conjunctivitis and severe tearing.

In addition, bronchial asthma is a common symptom. In the most severe cases, Quincke's edema develops, leading to anaphylactic shock.

Allergies do not take long for a person to feel bad. It often begins to manifest itself immediately after contact with an animal, but symptoms are most pronounced after two to three hours.

Animal allergies in children

Pet allergies are common in babies. The allergen is usually wool. Symptoms of the disease usually include redness of the skin, shortness of breath, persistent sneezing, and swelling of the mucous membranes.

This trouble can even affect babies. The main manifestation of the disease in the smallest is atopic dermatitis... In this case, the entire face, and sometimes the body, becomes covered with a rash, and laryngeal edema develops.

Treating animal allergies

The first advice that any doctor will give to a question about the treatment of allergies is to urgently get rid of the animal. But often this is not possible: you can throw away a blanket made of sheep's wool, but you cannot do that with a pet that has become a family member. Of course, if the allergy takes a form that is dangerous to health, the dog or kitten must be given away. In other cases, you will have to be patient and start therapy.

Medicines for this disease can only be taken after consulting an allergist. Usually, drugs such as Loratadin, NazolSpray, Suprastin, Zodak are prescribed. Other topical treatments that relieve symptoms such as a runny nose, itching, or sneezing are also suitable. If respiratory functions are impaired, the Beredual inhaler will be a good assistant in treatment.

If allergic rhinitis occurs, it is necessary to use medicines that constrict blood vessels: they relieve swelling of the mucous membrane. The duration of their use should not exceed five days. Then addiction sets in, and the state of health can become even worse.

In order for allergy symptoms to appear as rarely as possible, it is worth following the recommendations of experienced dog and cat lovers who could not part with their pets:

• If possible, it is better for the animal to take a separate room. In extreme cases, you need to give him a corner and in no case let him on the bed.
• Throughout the living space, it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning every day.
• You need to often wash your hands, wash your face, take a bath or shower.
• If possible, it is best to remove carpets from the house, especially those with long pile, woolen blankets and other items where the allergen may be hiding.
• It is worth spending money, but buying a quality air filter, only dry. With its help, you can get rid of microscopic harmful particles, including allergens. An ionizer is not suitable for this purpose, as allergy symptoms can only worsen.

In addition, it is necessary to ventilate the room as often as possible, wash bed linen, and periodically change blankets and pillows or give them to dry cleaning. It is necessary to monitor the health of the animal, do the necessary vaccinations and periodically undergo a check-up by a veterinarian.

Allergy is a complex disease that requires long-term treatment. If your health condition worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor. If allergy symptoms appear constantly, the animal will have to be given into good hands.