why I'm I allergic to animals? Is it their fur?

Question

cuz i'm not allergic to fur coats

That doesn't make sense, then how does the hypo allergenic cats work? I didn't outgrow I in growed it. I was never allergic to cats.

Answer 1

Hi there... I would like to share some supportive information we give to people who suffer from pet allergies particularly with cats as an example as many are unaware that "all" cats regardless of breed or if long, short or "no" hair breed of cats can cause allergies. Any vet can confirm this fact.

Older books on cats and cat care usually blame the allergy on cat fur e.g. breathing in small particles of the fur itself. Some blame it specifically on the cat’s guard hairs (the long hairs within the cat’s coat) and may recommend keeping a breed which lacks these guard hairs e.g. Devon/Cornish Rex or the hairless Sphynx. Referring to these breeds as hypoallergenic or allergen-free is incorrect as it is NOT the hair which causes the allergic reaction.

The real culprit for cat allergens appears to be a glycoprotein, Fel d1 which is secreted by the sebaceous glands and is the major cat allergen. This allergen is found in the fur, pelt, saliva, serum, urine, mucous, salivary glands, and hair roots of the cat. The main sources of the allergen, however, are the skin and saliva.

When a cat grooms/washes itself, saliva is deposited on its fur (or skin in the case of hairless cats). The saliva dries into dust (dander or dandruff) which is released airborne when a cat scratches or moves and when humans stroke or brush a cat. Fel d1.

All cats groom themselves, even those which lack guard hairs or which lack hair altogether (e.g. Sphynx). The dust forms on all types of cat hair or directly on the cat’s skin if it lacks fur. Hairless Sphynx cats produce dandruff directly on their skin and though they produce less of it than furred cats, they can still produce enough to trigger an allergic reaction. An allergy occurs when the body over-reacts to a substance (allergen) and produces excessive amounts of histamine. Excessive histamine production leads to the irritating symptoms associated with cat-allergy - itchy eyes, sneezing, skin rash etc.

Although Fel d1 is the protein most often associated with allergies, humans are very variable and there will be some people who develop allergies to other feline proteins. Some people are unaffected by Siamese cats, but allergic to other cats and some people have reported whose cat alergy is only triggered by male cats (even if the cats are neutered).

Anyhow, please consider reading the following website literature to learn more about the Fel d1 protein and how it affects allergies in humans.

http://allergies.about.com/cs/cats/a/aa013100a.htm
http://www.allergysa.org/pet.htm#cat

Here's a video (located on the webpage on the right side) by a veterinarian about the allergen Fel d1 and how it affects cat allergy sufferers. It's an organization who is is selectively breeding cats without the Fel d1 protein to make available for sale for those who who suffer allergies but would like to own a cat: http://www.allerca.com/

People with mild allergies to pet animals can benefit from Benadryl, Allegra, Singulair, Clairitin, Zyrtec other similar antihistamines. One may work better than one another through experimentation to see which works best. If the allergy is more severe neither a cat born without the Fel D1 protein or the anti-histamines has been successful. This also applies to all animals for allergy sufferers.

Answer 2

Animal allergies can often be rather mysterious. Myself, I'm more sensitive toward short haired cats than long haired ones.
In addition to the dander on their skin and in their fur, animals are frequently associated with other allergy causes such as mites.
In addition to hairless cats there are some dog varieties that are tolerated by some people. They are of the single hair (no undercoat) variety such as poodles, Bichons, Lasas, Maltese, etc. The nice thing about this variety is they don't shed but just lose hair the way humans do. Their hair grows continuosly and must be trimmed periodically to keep it a manageble length for the average pet owner. Show dogs of this type often have hair sweeping the floor or trimmed in elaborate styles.

Answer 3

No, that's a myth. It's actually the dander that comes off of their skin. The reason you're not allergic to the coats is because they are no longer attached to the animal's skin. If you still want to get a pet- look into hypo-allergenic dog breeds. Yes, they do have them!
Hypoallergenic dog breeds will still produce allergens, but because of their coat type, will typically produce less than others. People with severe allergies and asthma will still be affected by a hypoallergenic dog.
There are two coat types that produce a lesser amount of allergens: single-coated dogs, who do not have a thick undercoat, and hairless dogs. However even hairless dogs can produce enough dander to to affect a highly allergic person.

Hair-less Dog Breeds

* Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless)
* American Hairless Terrier
* Chinese Crested (Hairless)
* Peruvian Inca Orchid

Some of Single-Coated Dog Breeds

* Chinese Crested (Powder Puff)
* Poodles (all sizes)
* Schnauzers (all sizes)
* Portuguese Water Dog
* Bichon Frise
* Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
* Coton de Tulear
* Kerry Blue Terrier
* West Highland White Terrier
* Bedlington Terrier

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

the allergen of animals is the dander that can be controlled with special shampoo usually sold at the vets office.and stop with the fur coats. would you like to be killed just so somebody could shave your head for a wig? think about it. ask any allergist, allergies can pop up at any time during your life. and they can also go away suddenly. i was never allergic to my favorite food before but now i am. hope to out grow it soon. good luck and happy new year.

Answer 5

You are not allergic to the fur it is the dander from their skin. That seems to be what most people are allergic to. That is why some people choose hairless cats. I don't know how old you are but sometimes this allergy can be out grown.

Answer 6

Well, it may just be the dander that builds up on their fur when they haven't had a bath for a while. Use a product to keep it under control.

Answer 7

Its the danda that comes off the animal, sort of dust that is trapped in the animal fur. My daughter has eczema and the nurse told us not to get rid of the pets as the danda takes years to disappear from a house, and the upset would be more distressing.

Answer 8

It is from the pets dander, beneath their fur. Fur coats are not alive, and usually in this day and age are made of synthetics.

Answer 9

Usually it is the dander their skin produces that you are allergic to not the actual hair

Answer 10

Actually there is such thing as a cat that you can't be allergic to. . . .
anyway, it's probably their dander and you just are