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Pets and the Allergic Child
Can These Two Safely Coexist?
By Lisa B. Samalonis
The most common household pets are dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rabbits, mice, gerbils, rats and guinea pigs. Larger animals such as horses, goats, cows, chickens, ducks and geese, even though kept outdoors, can also cause allergy problems as pets. Dander, or skin flakes, and their saliva and urine from pets can cause an allergic reaction. Both feathers and the droppings from birds can increase the allergen exposure, according to ACAAI. Droppings from caged animals, such as birds, gerbils, hamsters and mice, can be a source of bacteria, dust, fungi and mold.
"Most people discover their animal allergies after they acquire a new pet ... after the emotional bond to the animal has been made," says Dr. Andy Spooner, associate professor and director, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, in Memphis.
"Animal dander – basically skin cells that flake from the pet's skin – is a very common allergen that all animals shed. Despite urban legends to the contrary, there is no breed or dog or cat that is allergen-free, or even less allergenic than any other dog or cat."
Cats are a little more allergenic than dogs, and male cats are more allergenic than female or neutered male cats, but all pets with skin – birds included – are potentially bad news for allergy sufferers, according to Dr. Spooner.
He notes thatskin testing at an allergist's office can diagnose animal dander allergies, but most parents diagnose animal dander allergies merely by watching their child when he or she goes over to a friend's or a relative's house where dogs or cats are present. Itchy eyes, itchy skin, coughing and wheezing are the telltale signs. "If a child has severe asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis, it's probably a good idea to avoid pets in the home regardless of skin test results," Dr. Spooner says.
