How to Know if You are Allergic to Animals and What to Do

Some people have an allergy to pets such as dogs, rabbits or cats, generating symptoms such as constant sneezing, dry cough or itchy nose, eyes and skin, whenever they come in direct contact with them or their objects. Allergy occurs because animals eliminate hair, scaly skin and debris that we cannot see with the naked eye, but that we inhale during breathing.

When there is allergy to animals, it may be necessary to make a treatment with the use of antihistamines indicated by the doctor, but the best way to avoid crises is to stay away from direct contact with the animals, avoiding having them inside the house, since they do not There is a cure for allergy.

In addition to this, allergic people who wish to have a pet may choose to have species that cause less allergies such as fish or turtles, as well as giving preference to dog breeds that usually cause less reactions such as hairless American Terrier or Yorkshire terrier.


Signs that May Indicate Animal Allergy

Contact with animals that cause allergy can cause symptoms such as:

• Trouble breathing, short of breath and noises when breathing;
• Cough strong, dry and constant;
• Dry and itchy throat;
• Nose dripping and itchy;
• Watery and reddened eyes;
• Pellets in the skin and intense itchy hands with rough skin;
• Constant sneezing;
• People who have asthma can go into crisis presenting an intense difficulty in breathing.

These symptoms correspond to a respiratory and contact allergy and should be treated as such.

Treatment for Allergic Crisis

Treatment for allergic crisis in dogs' hair should be done under the guidance of the ENT or dermatologist, usually with the use of antihistamine medications, such as Loratadine, Cetirizine or Hydroxyzine, or inhaled corticosteroids, such as Budesonide spray.

In addition to this, asthmatic people may be severely affected due to contact with these animals, as they may have more frequent seizures and need to use the asthma bulb.

However, the main way to treat and avoid allergy to pets is to avoid living together at home. So when you choose to have an animal, it is preferable to keep them in the external environment or, when it is not possible, you should opt for animals that cause less allergies such as fish, reptiles or hairless pigs.

In cases where it is very important to have a puppy, an alternative is to opt for breeds that cause less allergies.

Dog Breeds that do not Cause Allergy

Some breeds of dogs indicated for allergic people are:

• Bedlington terrier;
• Bichón Frize;
• The Portuguese Water Dog or its original name "cão d'água português";
• Chinese crested;
• Kerry blue terrier;
• Bichon Maltese;
• Schnauzer;
• Irish Soft Coated wheaten terrier;
• Irish Water Dog or Irish Water Spaniel in its original name and;
• Peeled Mexican also called Xoloitzcuintle.

Puppies of these breeds are the most suitable for allergic people, since it is proven that the peeling of the skin of these animals can not cause an allergic reaction so easily.

Cat Breeds that do not Cause Allergy

Cat breeds that do not cause allergy are:

• Oriental shorthair;
• Balinese;
• Javanese;
• Cornish rex;
• Devon rex;
• Sphinx, Hairless cat or Sphynx;
• Siberian. 

Normally cats that do not cause allergy have short hair, do not have hair, or when they have a lot of hair they have a smaller amount of an enzyme in their saliva that causes allergic crises.