The allergy reaches the dimensions of the epidemic, which is contributed fashion for keeping animals at home. Due to the exposure of millions of people to strong animal allergens, the frequency of allergies to a dog or cat, which was previously rare, becomes as massive as an allergy to plant pollen. Doctors alert that every tenth person is threatened with animal allergens.
WHAT PET I ANYONE?
.
Any animal kept at home can be sensitized
More sensitive is not the fur, but the epidermis or feathers, as well as saliva and proteins contained in the urine. The risk increases repeatedly if the owner is already an allergy. Therefore, an allergy sufferer, if he wishes to breed an animal, is only with the consent of a specialist, after prior application of effective treatment.
Why are we becoming more and more allergic to animals?
A factor that increases sensitization is the aforementioned massive presence of the animal at home, which means a high level of exposure to its protein allergens, called antigens. The reason for the persistence of the allergy epidemic are: genetic predispositions. In a population in which one of the parents is an allergy - the disease is transmitted for every 5 born child. When one of the siblings gets allergic - the risk of allergies in the newborn increases to 32%. The biggest risk, as much as 43%, occurs when both parents are allergic, and if they still suffer from the same allergic disease, then the risk of allergy in a child increases to 73%!
What is allergy to animals?
It is an immunological reaction of the body to the animal's protein antigens. These antigens are usually found in the exfoliated epidermis, as well as in the saliva, urine or hair of the animal. Animal antigen is recognized by the allergic organism as a germ or toxin, although it is harmless to non-sensitized people. As a result of incorrect recognition, there is an unnecessary, very strong defensive reaction that causes great health damage. It may be an airway inflammation that causes hay fever or asthma or urticaria, edema or allergic eczema - if the allergen comes in contact with the skin. This type of allergy tends to develop, because most of the animal allergies are atopic.
What does the atopic nature of allergy to animals mean?
It means accelerating the allergic reaction and consolidating it for many months or years. As a result of the first contact with the allergen there are constant doses of antibodies that quickly recognize foreign substances. Each re-contact accelerates and strengthens the inflammatory reaction and severity of disease symptoms. This type of acceleration and strengthening of the persistent reaction to the allergen is called atopy.
The most common are allergy to dogs and allergy to cats.
This is because the antigens of these animals cause a strong reaction, and in addition, the "household" animals expose us to constant, intense contact with the allergen. The strongest of the popular animal allergens is the antigen contained in the horse's epidermis. Allergic to the horse is very strong. Any allergy to the horse can cause a person who is allergic and asthmatic to feel shortness of breath after walking down the street after which the horse passed several hours earlier. Less common are allergies to antigens of small fur animals kept at home: allergy to a hamster, allergy to guinea pig, allergy to the mouse.
Danger to domestic birds are dangerous to health
The allergic reaction to the feathers is particularly strong. We are most often threatened by: allergy to a parrot, allergy to canary, sensitization to pigeons, allergy to chickens, allergy to ducks, allergy to goose feathers, etc.
We are also sensitized by dead objects - products made of animal hair, feathers, etc.
You can often be allergic to fur and allergy to wool: sheep, rabbit, camel, llama, etc.
Ed. Edward Ozga Michalski, MA
Consultation by prof. dr hab. med. Andrzej Danysz
.
