Pet allergies are common, and you’re more likely to have a reaction to them if you have a family history of asthma or other allergies. It is believed that about 15 to 30 percent of people who suffer from allergies also have an allergic reaction to dogs or cats, with some having aversions to feathers. The United States' pet population comprises more than 100 million furry friends, so that’s a lot of animals to avoid. It’s estimated that some six out of 10 people have some contact with cats or dogs.
Not Every Animal
Remarkably, not every person is allergic to every animal with fur. Some may be allergic to only certain breeds of dogs. About twice as many people have cat allergies than dog reactions.
Some researchers believe being exposed to pets early in life can help prevent pet allergies, and there are studies that show that children who lived with a dog in their first year can resist upper respiratory infections better than those who were dog-less.
People with pet allergies are actually reacting to the fluids and dander that cats and dogs produce. Because immune systems seek out various viruses and bacteria to eliminate, some people with hyper-sensitive immune systems go on alert when confronted with pet saliva, urine or dead skin (dander). Those are proteins known as allergens, and they are what cause the various reactions.
Even when a cat or dog is not in the room, its dander can linger for months. Dander gathers on various surfaces and sustains its strength for months on end, building in intensity on walls, clothes and other areas. It can even be found in homes where there are no pets because it's carried in on clothes that have come in contact with a pet or via the local air, where the allergens can float for long periods. When they reach your nose and eyes, you start to get symptoms that resemble the common cold. Swelling and redness causes runny noses and other afflictions. Some individuals are so sensitive that a mere lick from a pet can resemble a burn on the skin.