Diagnosis of Animal Allergy
If you suffer from symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes, you can only know for certain you have an allergy by undergoing a specific test. In my practice, I start by asking questions about symptoms, history of allergy, environmental exposures and family history to get a good picture of your situation. To help determine whether an allergy is involved, I usually perform one of two types of skin testing: a skin prick test, which involves making a small break on the surface of the skin to introduce an extract of a specific allergen (any substance, including animal dander, that can cause an allergic reaction); or an intracutaneous test, where an allergen extract is injected into the skin.
If you develop swelling and redness in the area, that indicates you have an allergy. On the other hand, if skin testing is negative, a blood test can confirm whether the animal in question is the source of the allergy. Too often I have seen a family get rid of a beloved family pet without adequate confirmation. They find out down the road that they were wrong and it wasn't Fluffy or Rover that was making little Johnny wheeze, but rather his teddy bear.
Treatment of Animal Allergy
Once an animal allergy has been diagnosed, it is important to understand what aspect of the animal you are allergic to. Below is a list of common animal allergies and the best steps for addressing each.
Cat Allergy: People who are allergic to cats have a reaction to the cat's saliva and dander (dead skin cells). However, typical allergic symptoms do not result from direct contact with your pet. Instead, when the cat grooms itself by licking its fur, it deposits saliva, which dries leaving behind the protein antigen and loosens dead skin cells. These allergens (saliva and dander) are very lightweight and are easily airborne. Once in the air, the antigens can spread to clothes, furniture, carpeting or any other household item.
Once cat allergy is confirmed, the best way to decrease allergy symptoms is to remove the cat from the home. If you decide to keep your cat, however, you should at least try to keep it out of the bedroom or off the bed. Washing the cat once a week may help reduce the amount of cat allergen in the house
