HycorBiomedical

Could pet allergies be causing your itchy eyes and runny nose, even when you don’t have any pets? The answer is yes!

It may surprise people, but you do not have to be in direct contact with an animal to be exposed to animal allergens. Because of their aerodynamic properties, mammalian allergens like fur from dogs, cats, mice, rabbits, hamsters, and even horses can easily become airborne, attach to clothes and hair, and can spread between environments. Studies have shown the major cat allergen Fel d 1 can be frequently found in homes without pets and in public buildings, including schools, day-care centers, and hospitals.

If you have already been exposed to the fur allergen, then there are high chances that you are already sensitized and would suffer from an allergy attack on the second exposure.

Knowing your specific allergen triggers can help you manage your environment and exposure.

Between 10% to 20% of the population worldwide is allergic to cats or dogs, and that percentage is getting higher each year. Allergies to fur may be increasing, but the love we have for our pets certainly isn’t. Nearly 57% of people have domestic animals and pets in their houses.

If you have pets in your house and you have the following symptoms, chances are that you have a fur allergy:
● Runny and itchy nose
● Red, itchy and watery eyes
● Skin rashes and hives
● Sinus pain and pressure