Cats and dogs can be amazing companions, but they can also trigger allergy symptoms. Pet allergies are common, especially allergies to pets that have fur, like dogs and cats. Allergy symptoms can be mild, but they can also become worse over time, especially when allergies aren’t properly managed. It’s important to learn to recognize signs of allergies and find ways to keep symptoms under control.
What Are Common Allergy Symptoms Related to Dogs & Cats?
When a person inhales some sort of allergen, like pet dander, it can cause the inside of their nose to become inflamed. This can lead to symptoms like a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Other common symptoms experienced by people with cat or dog allergies include an itchy nose, facial pressure, or a post-nasal drip.
For people with asthma, exposure to allergens can also make it difficult to breathe, which can lead to pain and tightness in the chest. Pet allergies can also trigger allergic dermatitis, causing hives or itchy skin. While people usually start to notice signs of allergies in childhood, symptoms may not appear until later in life.
What Causes Pet Allergies?
Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system reacts to a substance as if it were a threat. When you’re exposed to the substance, your immune system produces antibodies, which can cause your nasal passages, lungs, or skin to become inflamed. For some people, allergy symptoms gradually improve, but for others, their symptoms and sensitivity to allergens can actually become worse as time goes on.
Someone that’s allergic to cats or dogs could have a reaction to a pet’s saliva, urine, or the dead skin cells that they shed, which are sometimes called dander. Dander is small and can stay in the air for a long time, which can increase a person’s exposure to the allergen. It can also cling to clothing and upholstered furniture.
If someone is developing an allergic reaction to pets, they may show allergy symptoms whenever they’re around the pet. Even if a person doesn’t come into direct contact with the animal, they can show symptoms if they’re exposed to the allergen in some way. Allergies can be mild at first, but over time, they can weaken the immune system and damage a person’s health.
