Pets and Allergies

Millions of houses would wide have one or more domestic pets, equally divided between cats and dogs, and some other not very common animals. Human form strong attachments to their pets, even considerable number of pet owners are allergic to their animals. Fact and relationship may vary in different soceities and cultures.

Allergic owners suffer from reactions to their pet?s dander, skin flakes, saliva and urine. Hair or fur also can collect pollens, mold spores and other outdoor allergens. A recent Japanese study shows that one in four patients with pet allergies want to keep a pet despite allergy- and asthma-related problems. In addition, the study indicated approximately 80 percent of the pet owners surveyed kept their pets inside the home most of the time. These findings may explain why allergy symptoms, such as itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and hives in allergic children and adults, worsen with continued exposure to pets.

The presence of allergic dander in cats and dogs is not affected by length of hair or fur, and there are no truly "hypoallergenic breeds." According to another recent study conducted at The Long Island College Hospital in New York City, the color of a cat's hair may influence true allergic symptoms in people exposed to the dander. Preliminary data from a self-administered questionnaire of 400 households with pet cats indicated a significantly greater amount of allergy-related symptoms (such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itchy skin) with exposure to dark cat hair. As expected, the severity of allergy symptoms also was greater in owners who permitted their pets unlimited access to the bedroom.

Keeping animals outdoors is only a temporary solution since pet dander will eventually accumulate in the house, carried inside on clothing. Even the type of clothing worn can affect the transportation of pet dander. A recent study at the University of Sydney found people who wore wool sweaters were exposed to more than 10 times the amount of cat dander than individuals wearing no upper body clothing. People who wore freshly washed T-shirts were exposed to the least amount of cat dander. Researchers also found cat dander levels on non-cat owners? clothing increased at the end of the workday due to an individual's exposure to coworkers who own cats.

How to Control
'Keeping pets out of the bedroom can reduce unnecessary suffering since people spend approximately one-third of each day in this room. The presence of cats and dogs on owners' beds contributes greatly to the amount of airborne allergens in the home. Exposure to airborne allergens, which also are spread by air currents, can be reduced by restricting the pet's presence in bedrooms, dens or living rooms with upholstered furniture. And, as hard as it may be, pet owners should consider removing pets from their homes if they wish to avoid allergic reactions. Because pet dander is quite light and buoyant, and floats freely in the indoor air, electrostatic or HEPA air cleaners can be a big help in removing unwanted allergenic particles, especially cat dander. The size of the space determines the size filter necessary, and units are available as table-top models or can be adapted to central air conditioning systems. Placing a screen or filter over room vents may keep dander from traveling through the heating and air conditioning system. Bear in mind that it may take six months or more to completely rid the home of cat dander particles even after the pet is removed.