Doctors consider allergies to animal dander, saliva and urine forms of perennial allergic rhinitis. An allergic reaction to dogs, cats, ferrets or any warm-blooded animal typically creates itching, sneezing and runny nose symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can prevent or ease symptoms in people with pet allergies who visit animal owners, and in people who are allergic and can't give up their pets. To address individual sensitivity levels and overall health conditions, patients can select from allergy medicines with different actions on the human body.
Cromolyn Sodium
Nonprescription cromolyn sodium is a preventive allergy treatment delivered by nasal spray ingestion. The University of Maryland Medical Center calls it gentle and effective, but several daily doses are required. Regimens must be begun several days prior to contact with pets that might cause allergic reactions.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines control the symptoms of pet allergies brought on by the body's inflammatory response. Histamines cause inflammation of the eye and nose membranes, and antihistamine allergy medicines suppress the resulting itching and nasal symptoms, as the Mayo Clinic reports. Some antihistamine formulas also may contain decongestants to treat both runny and stuffy noses. With or without prescriptions, patients can choose among two main classes of antihistamines: those that cause drowsiness and those that do not.
Decongestants
When allergic reactions cause greater sinus congestion than runny nose symptoms, people with pet allergies can choose stand-alone decongestants. Patients should take these short-term allergy medicines only for a day or two to relieve stuffy noses. The Mayo Clinic warns that longer use may increase, rather than improve, congestion conditions.
Leukotriene Modifiers
Allergy patients who have high blood pressure or who cannot take decongestants or antihistamines for another reason may need a leukotriene modifier, such as montelukast sodium. As UMMC relates, this allergy medicine blocks leukotrienes rather than histamines and doesn't have the detrimental effect on blood pressure that decongestants have.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid creams, such as hydrocortisone, manage itchy rash symptoms caused by direct contact with pet allergens and may be purchased over the counter. Prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays, including fluticasone and budesonide, work to relieve hay fever-type symptoms. UMMC distinguishes the action of these medications from a harsher yet stronger oral corticosteroid such as prednisone.
Immunotherapy
To avoid allergic reactions and daily medication regimens, the Mayo Clinic suggests that patients protect themselves from pet allergies with immunotherapy. These doctor-administered allergy shots expose patients to small amounts of animal allergens over time, to desensitize the immune system to them.
