Animals, birds and domestic pets are frequent causes of allergy. Specialist doctors estimate that up to a third of people with allergies are sensitive to pets”, birds and other animals. The symptoms arising are those of true allergy, especially nasal and breathing symptoms, itchy eyes, eczema and dermatitis. Some people who come into close contact with birds develop ‘allergic alveolitis’ (also known as ‘allergic pneumonia’ or ‘bird fancier’s’ lung) which is a rare but serious disease.
What Causes Problems?
Reactions are caused by inhaling particles from pets and animals, as well as by touching them. So living with a pet animal or bird can be the cause of allergy, even if you are not the prime handler or carer. A number of different substances found on, or produced by, animals and birds can be allergens. These include animal fur and hair, their skin scale or dander, feathers, and the bloom on bird feathers, often given off as a fine powder. Saliva, where an animal has licked itself, you, or furniture and flooring, is also a common cause, as well as urine and faeces. Further problems can be caused by dusts and moulds found in animal cages, stalls or huts, or litter trays.
Any kind of animal, bird or pet can cause allergy, especially where you have a significant exposure to them, as with a domestic pet, or at work. Cats and dogs are thus common causes. Small mammals, such as hamsters, mice, gerbils, rabbits and guinea pigs, frequently cause allergy, and can go unsuspected. Caged birds are also often the source of problems.
If you are sensitive to horses, you may also find that you react to old furniture – sofas, mattresses, chairs – that has been upholstered with horsehair. Some vaccines are based on serum taken from horses; ask your doctor to check before you are given any vaccination.
People are known to react to clothing made of animals’ fur and hair, such as fur coats, hats and collars. Angora yarns are made variously from goat hair, rabbit hair, and sometimes even cat hair.
Fresh feathers on birds do not cause allergy as commonly as older feathers used as filling for pillows and cushions. Here sometimes the cause can also be house dust mites and moulds rather than the feathers themselves. The bloom on birds’ plumage – a fine dust that rises on handling – is a known cause of allergy.
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