4 animal allergy myths – and the truth behind them

26th July 2023

4 animal allergy myths – and the truth behind them

We’re a nation of animal lovers, with 57% of UK households taking care of 38 million pets. And is it any surprise? They’re adorable, faithful companions, and endless entertainment. So it’s such a shame when someone has an allergy to an animal. As much as they love dogs or cats, they can’t help but have watery eyes or break out in hives the moment they come into contact.

Enter hypoallergenic pets. These are supposedly more allergy-friendly breeds that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. But it isn’t that simple. There are a lot of myths around them. And today, we want to address some of those and answer whether hypoallergenic animals really are the perfect choice.

#1 – Hypoallergenic pets prevent allergies

The biggest myth is that “hypoallergenic” means they won’t ever trigger your allergy. This isn’t true. Pet allergies are triggered by certain proteins that each animal will produce, and hypoallergenic breeds still create these proteins.

This myth may come from the fact that certain breeds are okay with some people with allergies. They might react to a Pomeranian but not a Poodle. Or these differences may vary from person to person. In these cases, it may come down to the specific protein someone is allergic to. So a hypoallergenic breed might be good for one person but not another.

#2 – It’s animal fur that triggers allergies

Even though there’s a lot of talk about fur when it comes to hypoallergenic pets, it’s not actually the fur that’s causing the problem. Pet allergies are usually triggered by animal “dander”. This is the equivalent of dandruff – it’s flakes of their dead skin.

Pets going about their business are going to shed dander in the same way we shed our skin. So when they’re living in the same space as you, that dander can aggravate you. Animal saliva and even urine can also trigger our allergies – but not typically the fur.

#3 – Hairless pets are a great alternative

There are some breeds – namely the Sphynx cat and Chinese Crested dog – that are practically hairless. And some people believe these breeds are perfect for people with animal allergies.

But as we just said, the fur isn’t a factor. A hairless cat or dog is still going to produce saliva and dander. If you stroke them, you’re still coming into contact with the proteins that trigger your allergies.

#4 – Animals with no fur are fine

Again, it’s not that simple. Yes, if you’re allergic to dogs you may not be allergic to birds. But that doesn’t make them hypoallergenic. There’s still the potential that someone is allergic to them. It just might make it a better pet for you in particular.

They’re just as capable of producing feather dander, and their unique proteins can easily be someone’s allergy. Airborne faecal particles can also be bad for someones allergies.

You should be able to enjoy the companionship of a pet if you want. But don’t misunderstand how animal allergies work. Make the choice that is right for you (or your family members). There are ways to have pets in the same home as someone with allergies, but you need to be aware of those repercussions. The more information you have, the better a decision you can make.

If you ever have any allergy concerns or want to diagnose an animal allergy once and for all, get in touch. Our allergy experts can guide you through the process and provide the advice you need to live a comfortable life. Simply register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

Pet allergies: do I have a cat allergy?

21st February 2018

Pet allergies: do I have a cat allergy?

Did you know that in the UK pets are the second most common cause of allergies? The biggest culprit is our feline friend; the housecat. In fact, the number of people who have a cat allergy is significantly higher than any other pet allergy.

This probably doesn’t come as much as a surprise to you. But a little-known fact is that the primary allergen actually isn’t in the cat’s fur. It is found in a protein known as Fel d 1 (a uteroglobin-like protein).

Cat facts

There are other characterised allergens in cats that people can be allergic to: Fel d 2, serum albumin, Fel d 3, cystatin, a cysteine protease inhibitor, Fel d 4, a Lipocalin, Fel d 5, Fel d 6, Fel d 7.

Fel D 1 is found in their urine, saliva, and dander (dry skin). You’re more likely to see a higher concentration of this in unneutered male cats due to testosterone secretions.

Like velcro, Fel D 1 attaches itself to human’s clothes, and it is easily transferable. Because of this, it’s possible to trigger your cat allergy from being in contact with a cat owner, or someone else who has recently been near cats. The allergen is so small that it can remain in the air for hours, and it can be easily breathed directly into the lungs. You can get certain breeds that make it less likely to trigger symptoms though.

Individuals suffering from allergies have developed sensitisation – state of an immune system that preserves an innocent protein (allergen) as a foreign body (parasite) – a potential threat and is trying to fight it with all its might. The symptoms you get are the side effects of your body attacking the allergen with the aim to prevent it from harming your system.

The cat’s pyjamas

The symptoms can appear only a few minutes after being in contact with the allergen. In some cases, it might take even hours to appear. Up to 30% of people who have allergic asthma can feel severe intensifications of their problems after contact with Fel D 1.

Usually, the symptoms are very evident after being in contact with a cat. These usually appear in the following forms:

• Itchy, runny, or blocked nose
• Red, itchy eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Hives or a rash in the area of the face and neck when in contact with the saliva
• Redness of the skin after feline contact or if you get a scratch

It’s easy to confuse a cat allergy with an allergic reaction to dust and so it is vital that before getting any treatment a consultant detects the exact allergen that is responsible for your symptoms. This can help not only to use treatment to reduce the symptoms but in many cases allows to conduct the treatment that can influence the cause of allergy – immunotherapy. So if you want pets, you don’t necessarily have to suffer.

There are several types of tests that to determine whether you are allergic to cat’s dander. Book an appointment with one of our specialists today to arrange a suitable screening for the cause of your symptoms.