Pets provide owners with companionship, comfort and loyalty. However, if pet owners are experiencing allergic reactions to their pets, this can be frustrating. Allergies to pets come from the dander or skin flakes, saliva and urine. As pet owners spend time with their pets, it is more than likely that they will come into contact with all these causes of allergy from their pets.
Allergies From Dander
Allergic reactions often come from the dander or the skin scales of a pet. It is similar to dandruff and may consist of dried hair, skin or feathers. These allergens can trigger sneezing and wheezing in humans. It is a misconception that the allergens do not come directly from the pet fur, but from the scaly skin dander on the pet.
Allergic Reaction to Saliva
Allergic reactions can also stem from exposure of the skin to pet saliva. When a pet licks an owner's skin, the proteins within the saliva make the human skin more sensitive, causing an allergic reaction.
Allergic Reaction to Pet Urine
Depending upon the pet, often pet owners take their pets out for walks or give them baths. This can lead to contact with pet urine. If a pet owner is prone to allergies, the pet urine may cause irritation, rashes and itching. This happens when the proteins in the pet urine desensitizes the skin, causing the breakdown of the skin's defenses and allows for allergic reactions.
