Pet allergies

Reviewed by Dr Paul Klenerman, specialist and Professor Brian Lipworth, professor of allergies and respiratory medicine

But what if I still want pets?

You have to be aware that there is a huge possibility that you may have to find another home for your pet. If you are in this situation, you should contact the RSPCA and ask them for advice.

There are low allergen producing animals, such as furless cats, which may sometimes be OK. (But you may be allergic to cat spit and not cat fur? If you want a black and white cat to stroke, how much fun is a cat without fur?)

You should still decorate your house as mentioned above. Even if the animal is only visiting you so that you can check if you are able to live with it, it may still take half a year or more before you develop symptoms.

Dogs and cats should be bathed at least once a month in plain water. Remember to dry the animals properly afterwards. It has been proved that a monthly 'cat wash' lowers the level of allergens in the house.

But what about fish or turtles? This may sometimes work but then you may be allergic to the food they eat.

Rabbits and guinea pigs do not produce so much hair but their urine may cause trouble. They should not live in the house but outside and be cared for by a person without allergies.

It is possible to buy anti-allergen filters and special air filtering systems (HEPA). Talk to your doctor or an organization for patients with asthma or allergies before you buy these devices.

Keep animals out of bedrooms and public rooms. It would be preferable to keep them outside of the house.

Every time you touch a pet, wash your hands thoroughly.

What complications are possible?

Greater susceptibility to other illnesses of the airways.

Ear infections.

Difficulties sleeping and insomnia.

Worsening of asthma, and maybe even the possibility of a severe asthma attack.

What are my prospects?

Pet owners should know it is important to avoid their allergens because of the increase in the risk of developing, or worsening, asthma. The symptoms can be controlled with medication but the allergy itself cannot be removed.

For people who have only one allergy, it may be possible to have a tolerance treatment. This desensitisation treatment is a vaccination against the allergen. Exposure to the allergens several times in a period of up to five years will be necessary.

What medication is given?

Antihistamine tablets or syrup (eg loratadine, cetirizine, chlorphenamine). These lessen the allergic reaction by blocking the actions of histamine. They relieve hayfever type symptoms.

Nasal sprays or drops containing sodium cromoglicate, corticosteroids (eg beclometasone) or antihistamines (eg levocabastine) can be used to reduce nasal inflammation and control symptoms in the nose.

Eye drops containing sodium cromoglicate, nedocromil, or antihistamines (eg azelastine) reduce eye inflammation and can be used if eye symptoms are a particular problem.

If the allergy causes asthmatic symptoms, some of the asthma medication below may be used

Relievers (bronchodilators): these are quick-acting medicines that relax the muscles of the airways. They are used when required to relieve shortness of breath.

Preventers (anti-inflammatories): these act over a longer time and work by reducing the inflammation within the airways. They should be used regularly for maximum benefit. When the dosage and type of preventive medicine is correct, there will be little need for reliever medicines.

Relievers There are three groups of these.

Beta-2 agonists These medicines cause the airways to relax and widen. Examples of those which act for a short time (3 or 4 hours following a single dose) are salbutamol (eg Ventolin) and terbutaline (eg Bricanyl). These medicines are inhaled from a variety of delivery devices, the most familiar being the pressurised metered-dose-inhaler (MDI). When inhaled, these types of medicines work within minutes to open the airways, making breathing easier.

Longer-acting beta-2 agonists include salmeterol and formoterol (eg Foradil, Oxis). Their action lasts over 12 hours, making them suitable for twice daily dosage to keep the airways open.

Anticholinergics

One of the ways in which the size of the airways is naturally controlled is through nerves that connect to the muscles surrounding the airways. The nerve impulses cause the muscles to contract, thus narrowing the airway. Anticholinergic medicines such as ipratropium bromide block this effect, allowing the airways to open. The size of this effect is fairly small, so it is most noticeable if the airways have already been narrowed by other conditions, such as chronic bronchitis.

Theophylline and aminophylline

These medicines are given by mouth and are less commonly used in Britain because they are more likely to produce side effects than inhaled treatment. They are still in very wide use throughout the world. All three types of bronchodilator can be combined if necessary.

Preventers

There are three main groups of these.

Corticosteroids Corticosteroids (or 'steroids') work to reduce the amount of inflammation within the airways, reducing their tendency to contract. They are usually given as inhaled treatment, although sometimes oral steroid tablets may be required for severe attacks. Although steroids are powerful medicines with many potential side effects their safety in asthma has been well established. It is also important to balance the problems that arise from poorly treated asthma against the improvement in health which occurs when the condition is well treated.

Cromones

There are two medicines in this group: sodium cromoglicate and nedocromil. They also act to reduce inflammation of the airways. They tend to be best for mild asthma symptoms and are more effective in children than adults. The medicines are given by inhalation and are usually very well tolerated.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Leukotrienes are compounds released by inflammatory cells within the lungs and which have a powerful constricting effect upon the airways. By blocking this effect with these antagonist medicines the constriction is reversed. There are two such medicines currently available: montelukast and zafirlukast.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved