what specifically causes people to be allergic to cats and dogs?

Answer 1

Usually, it is pet dander which makes people react. Sometimes it is the animal's saliva which dries on the fur after they lick and clean themselves.

The allergen enters your system if you breathe it in, swallow or touch it. It stimulates the production of histamines in your bloodstream which cause the symptoms you experience: runny nose, rash, sneezing, etc.

Answer 2

The dander of the pet causes an allergic reaction. Kind of like skin cells and hair that fal off as a pet is moving through the house. You can take a medication for it, or you can use the febreeze allergy reducer and vaccume once a day. This really helped a friend of mine, and the febreeze was able to knock down a lot of the dander that was in the air.

Answer 3

Of the many animal allergies, dog and cat allergies are the most prevalent, although many allergy sufferers react to birds, horses, cows and pigs. It is not the cat or dog hair itself that causes the allergy, but the old skin cells (dander) that are constantly being shed. Allergic individuals may produce allergy antibodies (IgE) when exposed to a protein found in cat hair roots and cats' salivary glands. The allergy antibodies cause mast cells to release histamine, exploding "allergy bombs" in the body.

Answer 4

Dander occurs naturally as the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin, renews itself. The epidermis of dogs and cats is quite thin; it is made up of many layers of cells which are constantly pushing upward to replace the cells above. As this process takes place about every 21 days, the outer cells die and flake off into the environment as dander. It has been found, incidentally, that the epidermal turnover is more rapid in breeds that are groomed frequently and especially in breeds that are prone to various forms of dry and oily seborrhea (Cocker and Springer Spaniels, West Highland White Terriers, Irish Setters to name a few). Instead of the normal 21 days cycle, the epidermal turnover of seborrheic dogs is 3 to 4 days.

In dogs, saliva and urine are also potential sources of allergens. They are deposited on the fur through licking and urination. When the hair dries, the microscopic particles flake off, become airborne and trigger the symptoms that characterize allergies to pets. Cats produce another major allergen, Fel d 1, in the sebaceous glands of the skin and in their saliva. Fel d 1 is deposited on the fur from sebaceous gland secretions and through saliva when cats lick themselves clean."

Answer 5

It is the smell from their hair that I am allergic to...I have asthma and I can only have our dog upstairs for a short time, because after a while the smell from her coat justgets to me...But, if you go to your pet store, and pick up aller-pet and put it on your pet once a week, it helps anyone with allergies...You can use this on a dog or a cat....
Rachelle

Answer 6

Pet dander causes the allergies.

Answer 7

The meds may also help him with both allergies. What motives human beings to be allergic to animals is their dander. Cats and canines have distinct dander, or perhaps between canines dander varies between breeds and a similar for cats. maximum human beings allergic to cats are allergic to lengthy haired cats. see you later as he continues to be on the allergy drugs he should be advantageous.

Answer 8

Pet dander [sloughing of pet skin - somewhat like dandruff]

Answer 9

its not the hair, its the dander!