Fur Allergies

Fur Allergies Overview

You get home, your pet runs up to greet you, and soon you’re sneezing, your eyes are itching, or your chest feels tight. These can be signs of a pet allergy. Pet allergies can also trigger asthma symptoms, and you can be exposed at work, school or day care even when no animal is present (ACAAI).

What Causes Fur Allergies?

Causing difficulty in breathing and other symptoms. There are many allergens causing different allergies, but in the case of fur allergy, the aggravating factors are

• Dander
• Urine
• Saliva

Pet hair itself isn’t the allergen, but it collects dander, saliva and urine proteins and spreads them around the home. Pet allergens settle on carpets, furniture and clothes and can stay in a home long after the pet is gone. All cats produce allergens, and hair length doesn’t predict how much (ACAAI).

Symptoms of Fur Allergies

Symptoms vary from person to person. Highly sensitive people can react within minutes of touching a pet or entering a home with one (ACAAI). Common symptoms include:

• Runny Nose
• Red, Itchy, Watery Eyes
• Sneezing
• Skin rash or hives
• Itchy Throat
• Postnasal drip

Mild symptoms may ease once you leave the animal and can be relieved by allergy medicine. In people with asthma, pet allergens can also trigger more serious breathing symptoms such as:

• Difficulty breathing
• Audible whistling sound when exhaling
• Chest tightness
• Coughing
• Trouble sleeping because of shortness of breath or wheezing
• Itchy skin

These are signs of an asthma flare. People with asthma should use their quick-relief inhaler as directed by their asthma action plan.

When to see a doctor: See a doctor or allergist if you regularly have symptoms around pets. Call 911 for severe trouble breathing, blue or gray lips, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat.

What Triggers Fur Allergies?

Fur allergies get triggered differently for every person, for some people, this allergy is triggered when their pet enters their room, or for some, it triggers when their furry pet licks them or when they pet their pets.

Cat allergen particles are very small and can stay airborne for at least 30 minutes after they’re disturbed (ACAAI). They also stick to surfaces and fabrics, so exposure can continue even when the pet isn’t in the room.

Prevention

Fur allergies can be prevented by taking notes on how your allergy is triggered and when. This is a crucial step s it even plays a role in your diagnosis with your doctor. To minimize the risk of severe symptoms, you can implement the following things in your life:

• Don’t let your pet enter your bedroom.
• Have someone without allergies clean the litter box.
• Bathe your pet regularly; ask your vet how often is safe for your animal.
• Don’t rely on “hypoallergenic” breeds; studies have not shown that any cats are hypoallergenic (ACAAI).
• Use a HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom.
• Use high-efficiency furnace and air conditioner filters and change them regularly.
• Vacuum often with a HEPA vacuum, or have someone without allergies do it.
• Ask someone who doesn’t have a fur allergy to remove the dander from your pet by thorough brushing.

Treatment

Pet allergies can make visits to friends and family harder, but treatment helps. Nasal steroid sprays, antihistamines and, for asthma, bronchodilators can relieve symptoms (ACAAI). For people who need more, immunotherapy (allergy shots) is an option (ACAAI).

Allergy shots work by giving gradually increasing doses of the allergen so your immune system becomes less sensitive to it, usually over 3 to 5 years (Mayo Clinic).

Conclusion

Pet allergy symptoms can change over time, so tell your doctor about new symptoms or changes in what triggers you. Allergies rarely go away on their own; an allergist can help you find the best plan.

If you want a pet but are allergic, consider animals without fur or feathers, such as fish or reptiles, and talk to your allergist before bringing any pet home.

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Written by: Madiha Ather Hashmi (May 05, 2020)

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before starting, stopping, or combining any medicine.

Pet Allergy FAQs

Is it the fur that causes pet allergies?

No. The allergens are proteins in dander, saliva and urine that collect on fur.

Are hypoallergenic cats or dogs real?

Studies have not shown that any cats are hypoallergenic (ACAAI).

How long do pet allergens stay in the air?

Cat allergen can stay airborne for at least 30 minutes after being disturbed (ACAAI).

Can allergy shots help pet allergies?

Yes, they are an option for some people (ACAAI).

Sources

Looking for more allergy types? Find a full list of other allergy causes here.