Pet Allergies Can Worsen Hay Fever Symptoms

A team at Queen’s University in Canada led by Dr Anne Ellis, an assistant professor in the departments of medicine and microbiology and immunology, has found those with allergies to cats and dogs develop ragweed allergy symptoms more quickly than those without.

In the study, 123 people were exposed to ragweed, and those with pet and dust mite allergies reported that symptoms of ragweed allergy developed faster than their non-animal allergic counterparts. However the study also found that once allergy season is in full swing these differences lessen.

Dr Ellis suggests that people with animal allergies should rehouse their pets or prevent pets from entering their bedrooms. This becomes more crucial in the case of children with animal allergies suffering from asthma as it may help prevent irreversible lung damage due to ongoing allergic inflammation.

The study was conducted at the Environmental Exposure Unit (EEU) at Kingston General Hospital. The results were published in a recent issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.

Source: News Centre, Queens University