Developing a pet allergy doesn't mean you have to give up your fur baby – here's why

Developing a pet allergy doesn't mean you have to give up your fur baby – here's why

Video transcript

JULIE KURLAKOSE: I make this really poor joke that most people would rather get rid of their allergist as opposed to getting rid of their pets because they are family members.

We're here to talk about pet allergies and why you might not have to give up your pets. There are multiple options available. Why don't we talk through them?

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Unfortunately, anyone can develop a pet allergy at any time. But you may be more susceptible if you have a family history of allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma. There's actually quite a bit of evidence that suggests early exposure to dogs, specifically in the first few years of life-- that could actually have a protective effect in preventing allergic sensitization.

The part of the pet that causes the allergy is specific proteins that are found in their skin or their dander. These proteins are also found in the saliva or in pet urine.

Some of the symptoms that you can experience are sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, watery eyes, postnasal drip. For some people, being exposed to a pet that they're allergic to can actually trigger asthma symptoms, coughing, or shortness of breath, chest tightness, and then even just simple skin contact can trigger itching or can trigger hives.

There's so many misconceptions that I'm so excited to address today. I think the big one is that, if you're allergic to one animal, then you're going to be allergic to all of them. That's absolutely not true. Another misconception is that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. I hear this all the time. And it's a total marketing myth. I see plenty of patients every day that are allergic to their hypoallergenic dog or cat. Sometimes, they're not reacting to the pet itself, but they're reacting to the dust mites that end up growing from having a pet.

It's not just cats and dogs. You can be allergic to multiple animals. I see it with rabbits and birds and mice and hamsters. So if it can be a pet, it's possible for you to be allergic to them. So the key is to be informed, see your allergist, get tested so you know exactly what the triggers are.

Treatment options include, potentially, medicines that could help control whatever symptom you're having, or another potential option is allergy immunotherapy injections before you rent to your local pharmacy to pick up some over-the-counter medicine make sure you see a board certified allergist that you know the proper treatment for your symptoms.

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