Animals are a common trigger of asthma symptoms. You might be allergic to just one animal or more than one. Often it’s cats, dogs or horses – but other animals such as rabbits, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils can also make asthma symptoms worse. For some people, birds may also trigger asthma symptoms.
Pet allergies can develop at any stage of life. This means that even if you had a dog when you were younger and did not react to it, you could be allergic to dogs now. Sometimes, even if you have been around an animal for some time without developing allergies, it’s possible to become allergic years later
Why do animals cause asthma symptoms?
“If animals are a trigger for your asthma you probably have what’s known as ‘allergic asthma‘,” says Samantha Walker, Asthma UK’s Director of Research and Policy.
The allergens (which cause the allergic reaction in some people) are actually proteins found in the animal’s flakes of skin (dander) – and are harmless for most people.
In people who are sensitive to these proteins, touching or inhaling animal allergens causes the immune system to overreact and release a chemical called histamine, leading to an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include red, itchy and watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin; and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.
For many people with asthma, this release of histamine can make asthma symptoms worse. Read on here >> https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/animals-and-pets/