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Animal hair allergy - triggers, symptoms and treatment
The allergens are inhaled, hit the mucous membranes in the nose, eyes, throat and bronchi and cause symptoms such as sneezing, red eyes, swollen eyes, watery eyes, runny nose or conjunctivitis. Also possible are more serious complaints, including asthma or anaphylaxis.
contents
- Allergy: general definition
- allergens
- Four allergic reaction types
- Trigger for animal hair allergies
- Allergy to cat hair / cat allergy
- dog allergy
- Allergy to rodents
- Horse hair allergy
- bird allergy
- symptoms
- diagnosis
- Tips and help with allergy to animal hair
- Treatment for animal allergy
- Hyposensibilisierung
- Naturopathy in animal hair allergy
Allergy: general definition
The trigger for an animal hair allergy does not necessarily have to be your own pet. The visit of friends, in the apartment of a cat lives, is just as possible, as chatting with a friend, whose clothes still stick a few dog or cat hair. For example, a dog owner may trigger an allergic reaction by wearing a piece of clothing that still has dog hair in the hands of a colleague at work. The amount of allergens that cause an allergic reaction depends entirely on the individual. Some people are already satisfied with a few hairs, others only react allergic when they spend a long time with an animal.
The expression of an animal hair allergy can be quite different. For some people, just a few hairs are enough for an allergic reaction, while others only notice it after prolonged contact with the animal. (Image: Haramis Kalfar / fotolia.com) An allergy is an overreaction to certain substances, here called allergens, which are normally harmless. In the process, a so-called antigen-antibody reaction takes place in the body. In the specific defense system, B cells (B lymphocytes) are mainly used to produce antibodies. These are large molecules made up of proteins that target their defense against certain antigens. You can bind with them to trigger an immune response. In the case of animal hair allergy, the allergens are the antigens, that is, the adhering to the hair of the animals, allergy-causing substances.
In allergy, the antigen-antibody reaction is followed by an excessive immune response. The body responds, so to speak. In the worst case, this can lead to anaphylactic shock. Such a shock is the most severe allergic reaction in which the body can usually respond immediately after allergen contact with local skin reaction, generalized skin and mucous membrane reaction, pulse increase, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness to circulatory and respiratory arrest. Anaphylactic shock is life threatening.
allergens
Allergens are antigens that trigger the allergy. In the case of hay fever, these are the most diverse types of pollen, in the animal hair allergy these are animal epithelia.
The allergens are divided into four different types. These are inhalant allergens, such as pollen, mold and animal hair. In addition, there are ingestion allergens, also called food allergens. Examples are strawberries, pineapple, nuts and cheese.
Ointments, jewelry and latex contain contact allergens. Injection allergens include bee and snake venom, daisy (e.g., red sun hat), local anesthetics (e.g., procaine) or X-ray contrast agents.
Four allergic reaction types
Depending on the immune response, a distinction is made between four different reaction types. Most common are type I (e.g., pollen and animal hair allergy) and type IV (e.g., nickel allergy).
The allergic reaction of type I (immediate type) triggers a reaction relatively quickly, sometimes within seconds. In animal hair allergy these are for example immediate itching or watery eyes. Hay fever plagued know the sudden sneezing during a bike ride in the countryside.
In the allergic reaction type II (cytotoxic type), the symptoms only appear after hours or even days.
The allergic reaction of type III (immune cell type) is noticeable after six to eight hours. An example of this is the drug allergy. Type IV (delayed-type) reacts about one to three days after antigen contact, which is the case with contact allergies such as nickel allergy.
Often an animal hair allergy is triggered by dogs, cats, guinea pigs or rabbits. (Image: DoraZett / fotolia.com) Trigger for animal hair allergies
The animals most commonly causing animal hair allergies are cats, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, rabbits and dogs. But also allergies to horses, cows and birds are possible.
Allergy to cat hair / cat allergy
The cat allergen is the most potent. This can persist in apartments for a long time, even if the cat does not live there long ago. Also, the allergen of the cat is transported into spaces, without ever having been a cat there. The cat allergy is not an allergy to the hair itself, but to proteins in saliva and tears. By licking the animals, these allergens remain stuck in the fur.
Cat allergens are the smallest items that get stuck in their dormant dust due to their good floating properties and can hardly be eliminated by house cleaning and vacuuming. Cat hairs that adhere to garments are carried everywhere and can trigger a boost in this way in allergic persons.
The animal allergy to cats, is an allergy of the immediate type. Thus, contact with cat hair can cause an allergic reaction within seconds and minutes. A breed-specific sensitization, such as a pure allergy to angora cats, is possible.
dog allergy
Dog hair is moderately allergenic. Here, too, the hair is not the allergen, but the proteins from sebum, saliva, faeces and urine, which get stuck in the fur and ultimately trigger the animal hair allergy.
Allergy to rodents
Rodents, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and mice have a high potential to trigger allergies. The allergen, also here a protein that sticks in the fur, floats in the air and is attached to garments, transferred.
Horse hair allergy
In horses, not only the proteins are the cause of an animal hair allergy, but also animals, such as mites, which are in the hair of the horse. Likewise, molds and their spores in the coat of the animal can lead to allergic reactions.
The so-called Vogelhalterlunge occurs particularly often in pigeon fanciers. (Image: monikagi / fotolia.com) bird allergy
Feathers and bird droppings, but also avian mites can trigger allergies. This happens either by direct contact or by cleaning bird cages. The animal hair allergy occurs immediately afterwards. Another variant is the Vogelhalterlunge. This is a type II allergy where the symptoms do not start until hours or days after contact.
The Vogelhalterlunge is a relatively common disease in pigeon fanciers. Those affected suffer from fever, chills, cough, nausea and respiratory distress to a life-threatening condition. Here only helps to avoid any exposure to the birds.
symptoms
Most often the first typical symptoms in an animal hair allergy are sneezing with aqueous secretions from the nose, similar to a pollen allergy. Swelling of the mucous membranes, together with a stuffy nose, is also possible. Itchy, watery eyes, as an expression of conjunctivitis, are also common.
Through contact with the animals, the skin reacts with hives (nettle rash) or eczema. A scratchy, itchy sensation in the throat, cough and asthma attacks to respiratory distress are among the possible symptoms of an animal hair allergy.
In bird-rearing, the symptoms do not start immediately, but only after hours or even days. Unfortunately, the complaints are usually pronounced. Typical signs of animal hair allergy mate here with severe respiratory disorders to pneumonia (pneumonia).
In addition, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue and body aches, later loss of appetite and weight loss. The bird-rearing lung, an exogenous allergic alveolitis (inflammatory reaction of the alveoli) is a life-threatening disease that requires immediate separation from the birds and medical attention.
Sudden sneezing attacks may indicate an animal hair allegia. (Image: WavebreakmediaMicro / fotolia.com) diagnosis
As part of a detailed medical history, the patient is asked about the frequency and type of symptoms. Mostly then follows an allergy test. In the so-called prick test, allergen extracts are applied in drops to the forearm and then slightly scratched with a needle.
An allergic reaction occurs after about fifteen to twenty minutes. In addition, a blood test helps to ensure the diagnosis. The blood is examined for antibodies to certain allergens. In a so-called provocation test, the allergen is introduced into the nose, which may trigger a massive allergic reaction. This test is performed exclusively under medical supervision.
Tips and help with allergy to animal hair
In the case of an allergy, the immediate separation from the animal is generally recommended as an absolutely necessary measure. For many pet owners, however, it is hard to imagine separating from their beloved pet.
If the symptoms are not yet well advanced, other measures can be taken to get the allergy under control. It is important to pay attention to a thorough hygiene in the household. The floors should be wiped daily, carpets best removed. Any objects that have a tendency to stick dust, such as dried flowers or stuffed animals, will be banned from the home.
The pet may not have access to the bedroom. After each contact with the four-legged friends, their hands must be washed. The hairy roommate should have no place to sleep on the sofa and the furniture should be wiped off as often as possible. The washing or combing of the pet is best carried out by persons who do not suffer from any animal allergy. If all this does not help, the animal unfortunately has to be removed from the home environment.
Treatment for animal allergy
Conventional medicine prescribes antihistamines in spray, drop or tablet form in the case of animal allergy. In addition, mucous membrane decongestant nasal sprays, cortisone and beta-sympathomimetics are used.
If the symptoms of allergies are pronounced, it often only helps to separate from the animal. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com) Hyposensibilisierung
Hyposensitization can only be used in allergies of the "immediate type". The desensitization treatment of the animal hair allergy lasts about three to five years and can be performed from the age of five. The allergen is administered as an injection in increasing intensity. Patients must spend at least half an hour following each treatment for follow-up at the doctor's office to receive immediate medical attention in the event of an allergic reaction.
In hyposensitization, the body should get used to it by slowly increasing doses of the allergen. The injection is subcutaneous (under the skin) at regular intervals. Before any treatment, all reactions to the therapy should be reported to the doctor so that the dose may be reduced. The allergen should be avoided throughout the desensitization period. Contraindications for hyposensitization include immunodeficiencies, severe asthma, autoimmune disease, cancer, pregnancy, the use of beta-blockers, and medications that weaken the defense.
Another type of hyposensitization is sublingual application. The allergens in dilute solutions are given as drops under the tongue. This is especially used in children. Here, too, the patient must remain in the doctor's office for a while after the application for observation. If sufferers are only allergic to one or two substances, then this therapy can be quite promising.
After the completed hyposensitization usually provocation test is carried out to determine the efficiency of the therapy can. Desensitization does not treat the general allergic readiness of the body, but tries to alleviate or even eliminate a certain allergy, for example animal hair allergy.
Naturopathy in animal hair allergy
In Naturopathy, the cause treatment is in the foreground. Thus, it is attempted to act by suitable means on the one or more triggers of animal hair allergy. Allergies can be inherited and rested in the body without any symptoms.
After many years of living with a cat, symptoms such as sneezing, itching, tears and coughing suddenly set in. No one thinks of an animal hair allergy right away, when the beloved pet has been part of the family for so long. However, this is quite possible. The allergy readiness was already present and completely spontaneously the allergy comes to the fore.
Perhaps the cause of the seemingly sudden allergy is in the intestine. The much-cited Leaky-Gut syndrome may well be the reason for an allergy. The mucous membrane in the intestine has changed so that the bacterial flora is no longer able to distinguish well from evil and therefore foreign substances creep into the body, which are usually destroyed by the defense. Extensive chair diagnostics provide information here. Subsequently, an attempt is often made to restore a healthy balance with an individual intestinal restoration, which is to build up the intestinal flora.
Allergy sufferers, including pet hypoallergenic, are usually people who can not distinguish themselves. The skin, as a mirror of the soul, then shows changes that reflect the internal state of the diseased person to the outside. In natural healing practice, the soul of the human being is also included in the treatment.
An individualized Bach flower therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of allergy to animal hair. (Image: Schlierner / fotolia.com)An individual Bach flower mix is part of the therapy of those affected. Another method in the treatment of allergies is bioresonance therapy. The pathological electromagnetic vibrations of the body are reversed by the bioresonance device into healthy, altered vibrations and fed to the organism.
Often a naturopathic therapy begins with a detoxification. The body is stimulated with the help of certain remedies from phytotherapy, orthomolecular therapy or complex homeopathy to get rid of stored slags and poisons. This "purification" of the organism provides a good starting point for the subsequent individual therapy, for example in the form of classical homeopathy or the use of the Schüssler salts.
Self-blood therapy is also a common procedure for allergies. Here, as with most naturopathic treatment methods, not the symptom, but the general Allergiebereitschaft is treated in the body. The self-blood therapy leads, as the name suggests, "own" blood of the patient back to the body. So he is confronted with a small amount of his own blood, as a foreign substance penetrate. As a result, a cascade of immune reactions takes place in the body, which in the course of therapy can minimize or even disappear the overreaction to the allergens.
In the treatment of an animal hair allergy in naturopathic practice, the psychosomatic background of the disease are usually included in the therapy. Thus, the allergy in naturopathic thought pattern is a constant struggle for life, which is not offensive to the outside and with the environment, but defensively inwardly, with itself, is conducted. (sw, updated on 20.10.2017)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)