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Pet Owners: Beware of Animal Hair Allergies
Those who live with pets may experience allergic reactions to animal fur—especially cat, dog, rabbit, and rodent hair. These allergies can severely affect your health if left untreated, potentially leading to more serious conditions.
What Causes Pet Hair Allergies?
The primary culprit is pet dander—tiny flakes of skin from animals like cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents (e.g. mice and squirrels), which often trigger severe allergic reactions. The allergens are proteins found in skin cells and saliva. These microscopic particles are invisible to the naked eye, can linger in the air, settle on furniture, and even travel with you to work or school, triggering symptoms even in pet-free environments.
Common Symptoms of Pet Allergies
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes, red or itchy eyes
- Facial pain or pressure
- Swelling or dark circles under the eyes
- Itchy lips, nose, and throat
- Postnasal drip
- Skin reactions such as itching, rashes, hives, or eczema
How Do You Know If You’re Allergic to Pets?
The Skin Prick Test is a widely used diagnostic method. A small amount of liquid allergen (IgE-mediated) is applied to the skin—typically the inner forearm for adults and older children, or the upper back for younger children. A tiny prick is made to allow the allergen to penetrate the skin. After about 15 minutes, any allergic reaction—like redness, swelling, or a mosquito bite–like bump—will indicate sensitivity. The amount used is minimal (about the size of a mung bean), and the risk of a severe reaction is extremely low.
Who Should Get Allergy Tested?
If you experience any of the symptoms above, identifying the cause of your allergy is crucial. Early testing helps prevent worsening symptoms, reduces the need for long-term medication, and can help prevent complications like ear infections, facial dermatitis, or adenoid-related allergies in children.
More Than Just Pet Hair
Respiratory allergy testing covers a wide range of airborne allergens such as Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, acacia pollen, pigweed, pet dander (dog and cat), two species of dust mites, and both small and large cockroaches.
Steps of the Skin Prick Test
- Clean the test area (forearm or upper back) with alcohol
- Mark the allergen test spots
- Apply allergen droplets to each spot
- Gently prick the skin with a fine needle
- Wait 15–20 minutes to observe reactions
- Doctor interprets results and provides advice
Allergy Vaccines Can Help
Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots or Drops)
Immunotherapy involves administering gradually increasing doses of the allergen to build up the body’s tolerance. Two common methods in Thailand are:
- Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT): Allergy shots under the skin
- Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Drops administered under the tongue
How Effective Is Allergy Immunotherapy?
Allergy vaccines reduce symptoms, decrease medication use, prevent new allergic diseases, and may stop allergic rhinitis from developing into asthma.
Long-term studies show that patients who received allergy vaccines for 10 years were 2–3 times less likely to develop asthma. The effectiveness depends on consistent treatment over time.
For SLIT (sublingual immunotherapy) with dust mites, studies show reduced symptoms and medication use, as well as fewer asthma flare-ups during steroid tapering. It also reduces the overall need for inhaled steroids.
BNH Allergy & Asthma Centre
We provide allergy care for all age groups, covering:
- General allergies
- Ocular allergies
- Respiratory allergies
- Skin rashes
- Food allergies
- Asthma
- Sinusitis
Our mission is to empower patients through education and personalised care from the very first consultation—this is our commitment to holistic, international-standard allergy treatment.
- Our BAAC medical team includes allergy and immunology specialists with vast experience in managing asthma, allergies, and immune disorders in both children and adults.
- Our nurses and medical staff are specially trained in allergy and immunology care, ensuring expert support throughout your treatment journey.
- At BAAC, we believe patient education is the key to successful treatment and the foundation of excellence in asthma and allergy care.
