Pet Allergies: Facts and Myths

Easily one of the most heartbreaking types of allergies, especially for children, are pet allergies. While they often manifest themselves in early childhood, making exposure to the allergen easily manageable throughout life, some people don't realize they have pet allergies until after they have adopted an animal and formed an attachment. At that point, depending on the severity of the allergy, suffers can either put up with the uncomfortable reactions in order to keep their furry companions, or say goodbye. Young children have an especially hard time coping with pet allergies, even mild ones, since many children crave the attention and joy that owning a pet can bring.

Pet allergies are reactions to animal proteins, and any animal with hair or fur can be a potential allergy cause. The most common types of pet allergies come from:

Contrary to popular belief, most allergies are caused by skin cells, urine, or the saliva of the animal and not the hair itself. Since animals are constantly grooming themselves and shedding, hair is the most common mode of exposure, even though you may not be allergic to the animal's actual hair.

The most common symptom of a pet allergy is an inflammation of the respiratory tract, which can cause a range of reactions from a simple runny nose to rashes and swelling. The only way to avoid having a reaction to pet allergies is to limit your exposure to animals. This can be difficult, especially for young children, so symptom management is important.