For most of my childhood, my parents were reluctant to adopt whatever barked or meowed. Part of it was because of my dad’s unadmitted phobia of dogs; another part had to do with the fear my pediatrician had struck in my mom. If she wanted to keep me and my sister allergy-free, he told her, then no pets should be allowed in our house.
Pet allergies refer to the body’s allergic reaction to animal proteins that may be present in the saliva, skin cells or urine. In most cases, this kind of allergy is triggered by exposure to pet dander. Generally, any animal with fur like dogs, horses, cats and rodents can cause an allergic reaction. There are several treatments available, including immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) to help those who are pet allergic live happily with their pets.
Symptoms of pet allergies
Pet allergies present several symptoms that include the following:
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery or red eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Itchy nose, throat and roof of mouth
- Nasal congestion
- Facial pressure and pain
- Swollen, blue colored skin under the eyes
Although rare, you may also experience chest pain or tightness, difficulty breathing, audible wheezing or whistling when exhaling and trouble sleeping due to shortness of breath due to allergic asthma. Some individuals may also experience skin symptoms including eczema, itchy skin and red patches.
Risk Factors for Pet Allergies
While any person can experience pet allergies, people who have asthma are more likely to experience this allergy. However, some studies have found that children exposed to pets at an early age often have better resistance to allergies as well as upper respiratory diseases than those who are not exposed to pets in the first two years of life.
Pet Allergy Diagnosis and Tests
Allergists often diagnose pet allergies based using a skin test that consists of purified allergen extracts as well as extracts that have animal protein placed on the skin usually at the forearm or upper back. Skin testing takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The doctor makes observations on any signs of a reaction. Some of the most common signs include redness and itchy bumps. A blood test may also be performed for specific antibodies that cause allergies as well as establish your sensitivity to the allergen.
Treatment and Management
The best way to control pet allergies is by avoiding contact with the allergy-causing animals. Pet allergies can be treated by medications that include antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, cromolyn sodium and leukotriene modifiers.
Other treatments that may be recommended for allergies arising from contact with pets include nasal irrigation to help flush out mucus and immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual drops). In summary, pet allergies can be serious if not managed or treated therefore ensure you see a doctor for appropriate medication and precautionary measures.
Dr. Bassett says a lot of people have no idea they have allergies and now’s the time they’re going to feel the pain.
“In many of our patients, three out of four who have seasonal allergies have indoor allergies and they rev up in the months of October and November. With less ventilation in the homes, offices, windows are closed more exposure to indoor allergens,” Dr. Bassett said.
An allergist refers to a doctor that specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment as well as management of asthma and other disorders that are related to the immune system. To be an allergist, one must go through years of academic and professional training. That is, four years in college, four years in medical school, three years of residency training in pediatrics or internal medicine as well as a two to three year fellowship in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. They must conclude with passing a difficult exam before they are certified by the board. Although many people exhibit allergic reactions to different substances, not many of them seek proper medical attention because they do not know what an allergist does.
Allergists also devote themselves to understanding the various triggers that cause allergic diseases and how to identify and manage them. Additionally, they educate their patients in modifying their environment for optimal management of their allergies.
Who should see an Allergist?
Allergists offer expert medical counsel relating to the evaluation, treatment and management of patients with immune problems and allergic diseases. Some of the conditions and diseases that may warrant evaluation, treatment and management by an allergist include the following:
- Allergic rhinitis for seasonal and year-round allergies
- Atopic dermatitis-commonly referred to as eczema
- Allergic eye diseases
- Food and Spice Allergies
- Latex Allergies
- Stinging Insect Allergies
- Urticaria (hives and skin rashes)
- Chronic sinus infections
- Chronic cough
- Immune problems
- Frequent colds/bronchitis
In some instances, otolaryngologists, dermatologists, rheumatologists and pulmonologists may refer their patients to allergists.
The Role of an Allergist in the Management and Treatment of Allergic Diseases
Allergists are specially trained to deal with prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of problems of the immune system. Allergists play an important role in minimizing the number emergency room visits as well as reduce the absenteeism from school and work as they assist their patients in the management of their disease. They are trained to review the patient’s medical history, their family history, and symptoms as well as their work and home environments. Based on all of these factors, they can develop an appropriate management plan that combines environmental control measures and medication or even allergen immunotherapy to eradicate the patient’s allergies.
When to See an Allergist
Many people are not sure about when they need to visit an allergist. In fact, it is common to find patients with allergic reactions who are taking over the counter medications. It is advisable to consult an allergist at the earliest opportunity. In most cases, they will conduct skin prick testing, to identify the cause of the allergy. If needed, intradermal testing, skin patch testing and/or lung function testing can also be done in the office. Proper diagnosis can lead to an allergy free life because you will receive proper treatment. Some of the signs to look out for that may necessitate a visit to the allergist include:
- Recurrent skin rashes
- Severe or moderate eczema
- Asthma that has symptoms that affect work, sleep or school
- Severe or moderate food allergy
- Serious reaction to mosquito bites, ant bites or bee stings
- Recurring allergic rhinitis symptoms
In conclusion, while many people may not know what is an allergist, it is important to seek medical help for allergies early enough to prevent severe cases.
Allergies: For love of pets, and their owners by Elizabeth Landau, CNN
In a new report by Elizabeth Landau of CNN, Dr Clifford Bassett recommends some allergy relief strtaegies for allegic pet owners. Here is an excerpt:
Allergists such as Dr. Clifford Bassett, director of Allergy & Asthma Care of New York and ACAAI fellow, understand the plight of the allergic pet-lover.
There are several lifestyle modifications that can provide some relief, he said. Bassett recommends getting a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorption) air filter, which can suck up irritating particles from dogs and cats, as well as a HEPA-type vacuum cleaner.
Carpeting collects pet dander, so linoleum, wood, tile are preferred on floors. Otherwise, frequent vacuuming, dusting and other cleaning can help make a room more allergy-friendly.
Designating the bedroom as pet-free can also help, Bassett said. Of course, that can be difficult for those of us who like to cuddle with our furry friends.
To treat symptoms, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines, prescription nasal sprays and eye drops, as well as inhalers for asthma. Depending on the person and the circumstances, managing oneself this way may be enough.
A longer-term solution is allergy shots, which can be effective in building up a tolerance to pets. They are particularly helpful when avoidance and medications are not successful, Bassett said. But the shots are an investment — you need to get them for at least three years, although improvement shows after about six months of weekly injections, according to ACAAI.
Ronald Johansen took allergy shots just to be able to have cats around, but said his dog allergy is so bad that he couldn’t tolerate that therapy.
How well people respond to this immunotherapy depends on how sensitive the person was initially, and how well they’re able to avoid environmental triggers, ACAAI said.
“I like to tell people, we’ll do the shots if avoidance is not appropriate or avoidance is not possible,” Bassett said.
Some people with allergies and asthma have such bad reactions that they should really avoid the offending animal altogether, experts say, particularly children who have severe asthma attacks.
The Johansens are still exploring the animal kingdom, but for now they have a combination that’s healthy for everyone. Their current cast of characters: Two cats, a chinchilla and a parrot, in addition to four human children.
Can Cat Allergy Develop in Adult Life?
Q. My teenage daughter brought home (and we’ve adopted) a calico cat. I started getting a runny nose and a cough when near it, so I went to an allergist for testing. The results were positive. I don’t get it: our family had cats when I was a child. Can you develop an allergy to cats in your forties? Must we give him away?
Dr. Clifford Bassett: Yes, although allergies chiefly develop in children, adolescents and young adults, they can manifest during mid-adulthood.
However, the color and gender of your new cat could be to blame. I conducted a small, yet preliminary clinical study that identified a strong correlation of moderate to severe allergy symptoms with darker colored cats in a sensitive population of cat owners.
Additionally, I found that female cats produce less pet allergen than male cats.
Avoidance is the primary treatment, though this is not a popular choice for many pet lovers. Certainly portable HEPA air filtration and/or HEPA pleated filters in a home ventilation system (HVAC) can help to reduce the level of airborne pet allergens. Additionally, an allergist can review your options if you have direct exposure to a home pet. These include environmental modification, medications and of course allergy injections, which serve to increase your tolerance to the cat allergens in your home.
Article in Family Circle by Alison Goldman — “Pet allergies are nothing to sneeze at—an estimated 10% of the U.S. population and up to 30% of people with asthma suffer from them. Despite the less-than-desirable consequences, many still yearn for creature companionship. “I’m very pro-pet,” says Clifford Bassett, MD, allergist and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York. “But if you have a pet and allergies, you need to look for a long-term solution to create a comfortable and safe experience.” Before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or home, Dr. Bassett recommends being diagnosed—usually by way of a skin test or sometimes with a blood test called RAST—at an allergist’s office. That way you’ll be sure it’s the cat that’s causing your symptoms and not the dust mites in your bed. Read on to learn what triggers pet allergies and the steps you can take to reduce them.”
|How can you hit your 30s (or beyond) and only then start reacting to ragweed or cat dander? That’s the question on the minds of more and more grown-ups who are suddenly sneezing right alongside their kids.
“If you look in the medical literature, you’ll see an explosion of new cases of allergies, sinus problems and asthma in adults all over the world,” says Clifford Bassett, M.D., an allergist/immunologist with the Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn. “In my practice, I see mostly children and adolescents who eventually outgrow allergies. Then there’s a bump of patients in middle adulthood coming in for the first time.”
Is It an Allergy?
Recognizing an allergy can be tricky, since symptoms—runny nose, breathing problems, excess mucus and coughing—are similar to those for a cold or sinus infection. Colds usually go away within a week, Bassett says, but sinus infections are harder to distinguish from allergies since they can last for months. “One difference is that allergies almost always cause itchy eyes,” he says.
Fatigue is an under-recognized symptom of allergies, O’Connor adds. “When people complain about being tired all the time, I ask if they have allergies, and the answer is almost always, ‘Oh, they’re terrible right now.’”
Finding Sweet Relief
Treatment options include avoiding the allergen, prescription medications and allergy shots. “A little planning can go a long way,” Bassett says. “If the allergies are seasonal, I have patients start preemptive medication before the season kicks in to reduce the severity of the symptoms. If we find out the allergen is year-round, we can take steps to remove the problem or treat it.”
|Can Folic Acid Help?
A recent study at Johns Hopkins University found that folic acid may help suppress allergic reactions and lessen the severity of allergy and asthma symptoms. Though researchers caution that it’s too soon to recommend folic acid supplements to prevent or treat allergies and asthma, both O’Connor and Bassett believe the study is part of a larger trend of looking for holistic treatments. “Keeping the immune system healthy is the first line of defense against sickness and disease,” O’Connor says. “Natural approaches to allergies and asthma are very promising.”
Home Decorating Remedies
Original article from Publix Greenwise Marketing Magazine.
While many people report added stress during the holidays, doctors say the season can also uncover hidden allergies that would otherwise go unnoticed. NY1’s Kafi Drexel filed the following report.
Dana Conte is allergic to almost everything, including Christmas trees.
“My family has a tendency of getting live, real trees and I am in charge of decorations. So last year and I was not thinking, normally I usually put gloves on…didn’t think anything of wear the gloves because it was late at night. Wake up and from my forearm, my elbow straight down to the tips of my fingers was one big red blotch,” Conte said.
Seasonal triggers are often red flags. That’s why Bassett says this is another good time of the year to get checked for allergies.
“Indoor allergies can really fluctuate and build up during the holidays particulary a few years ago where you started to notice a trend where people would have fresh Christmas trees within five to six days, itchy eyes, irritate noses, scratchy throat cough,” Bassett said. “Or it can be things such as garlands, wreathes and other things and again during the holidays you have the fireplace going, you have the yule log, you also have scented products such as potpourri, fragrance candles, all these things can be irritants during the holidays.”
For Conte who works in the hospitality industry, party food and holiday meals can also be shaky territory.
“There have been times where I’ve gone to work. They’ve changed the recipe on the stuffing. I ate it and it was delicious. I’ll go home and I’ll have to use my epi-pen because there was peanut oil in the stuffing or they used it on the turkey baste or something,” Conte said.
Sometimes what you think might be food allergies could actually be food sensitivity. And with all of the eating and drinking going on this time of year, doctors say it might actually be a good time to start up a food journal to see what you may be reacting to.
“Studies indicate about one out of four people think they have a food allergy,” Bassett said. “The incidence of food allergy is a lot lower and the reason is because people may have a food intolerance such as lactose intolerance or other conditions, acid reflux that can cause irritation or problems and sometimes it can be easily confused with a food allergy.”
To determine whether or not you have a food allergy, Bassett says it’s still best to get tested. If you need it, you can always have an action plan in place for what to avoid or how to treat allergic reactions. That way you can spend less time in the doctor’s office, and more time celebrating the holidays.
Original article and video on NY 1
You LIVING WELL. As many as 40 million people in the United States suffer from allergies; armed with the following little-known information, your spring and summer could be nearly sniffle-free.
There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog
Allergy specialist Dr. Michael S. Blaiss of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center insists there are no “best breeds” for people with allergies. “All cats and dogs produce allergenic proteins in their saliva, urine and skin,” he says. “The fur is not a factor in contributing to allergy. Each animal may produce different levels of allergen, but it is not breed specific.”
Dr. Marjorie Slankard of the Department of Medicine at Columbia Doctors Eastside offers a few additional dog suggestions. “Poodles and wire-haired terriers are thought to be less allergenic than some dogs,” she says. “The bottom line, however, is that it is possible to react to any dog.” Try spending time with friends’ dogs to see which breed is a good match, but be warned — after a pet is in the household, a person can develop allergies they did not previously have.
Manhattan allergist Dr. Clifford Bassett, a fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, has tips on allergy-enhancing foods to avoid: There are some foods, nuts, fresh fruits and spices that worsen seasonal allergies.
“In the springtime, carrots, pears, apples, cherries, almonds and hazelnuts can aggravate your seasonal allergies,” he warns. “The same can happen with grass pollens and potato, melon and tomato. If you have ragweed allergy, watch out for banana, melons, zucchini and even camomile tea and sunflower seeds.” Usually, Dr. Slankard adds, cooked vegetables and fruits do not exacerbate allergy symptoms as the raw ones might.
Do your chores — the smart way
Stay indoors during peak pollen hours — 6 to 10 a.m. — and leave yard work for wet, windless, overcast days. Vacuum often and use a HEPA air purifier when possible. Standard air-conditioners ought to remove about 90 percent of air irritants, so clean your filters at least once a year.