Animal hair allergy - causes, symptoms, treatment.

Although it is generally spoken of an allergy to animal hair, the actual triggers are not the hair itself, but protein-containing components of saliva, sweat, sebum or urine of the animals, which are deposited in the fur and spread with the hair through the air we breathe and normal house dust. Many allergy sufferers react in the same way when coming into contact with cats, dogs or horses, which is due to a strong structural similarity of certain allergens.

In addition to its status as the Germans' favorite pet, the cat also has the greatest allergenic potential among pets. Their allergens are found in the tear fluid, the sebaceous glands, and in the skin, and to a lesser extent in saliva.

It makes no difference which breed the cat belongs to: Their allergens are very aggressive and spread extremely well due to their comparatively low weight. Since they remain in the air we breathe for a particularly long time, allergy sufferers can therefore suffer from allergy symptoms even without contact with a cat. All that is needed is for cat hairs to attach themselves to their owners' clothing and in this way enter rooms where the cat itself can be shown never to have been, such as public transport such as buses or trains. So if you are plagued by a violent sneezing attack without even an animal being in your vicinity, it may well be due to a cat hair allergy.

Dogs can also cause strong reactions in allergy sufferers. However, one can already give an all-clear at this point: Dog allergens do not have such a violent allergy-triggering potential as those of cats. Their allergens are generally heavier than cat allergens and therefore do not spread as well.

In addition, there are strong differences both between individual dog breeds and between individual animals. While some have to give a wide berth to one dog, another reacts hardly at all or not at all to contact with the same animal.

This is due to the fact that all dogs are in possession of a main allergen, but its presence varies greatly in quantity between the individual breeds or animals. It is found in saliva, sebaceous glands, dander, and urine.

Similar to other allergies, allergic symptoms appear shortly after contact with the animal in question or its hair (immediate type allergy). They show up mainly in the nose, bronchial tubes and eyes:

• Eyes: Reddened, itchy or watery (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Nose: Itchy, runny nose (with clear secretions), sneezing, swollen nasal mucous membranes
• Respiratory tract: Cough, shortness of breath up to allergy-related asthma attacks (asthma bronchiale)
• Skin: Allergic hives (urticaria) in direct contact with animals up to skin eczema

To determine whether you suffer from an animal hair allergy, allergists and family doctors have various diagnostic options available. Depending on the severity of symptoms, a skin test usually takes place first, in which allergens from various animal species are applied to the skin to detect a possible reaction. Other diagnostic options include a blood test by detecting antibodies or a provocation test, in which allergens are applied directly to the mucosa.

For example, antihistamine-containing preparations such as Pollival® eye drops and Pollival® nasal spray for local application are suitable against acute symptoms. You should also try to avoid the relevant allergens.