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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Pet allergy symptoms caused by inflammation of nasal passages include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
  • Postnasal drip
  • Cough
  • Facial pressure and pain
  • Frequent awakening
  • Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
  • In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose

If your pet allergy contributes to asthma, you may also experience:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • Audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
  • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

Skin symptoms
Some people with pet allergy may also experience skin symptoms. Allergic dermatitis is an immune system reaction that causes skin inflammation. Direct contact with an allergy-causing pet may trigger allergic dermatitis symptoms, which may include:

  • Raised, red patches of skin (hives)
  • Itchy skin

When to see a doctor
Some signs and symptoms of pet allergy, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are similar to those of the common cold. Sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a cold or an allergy. If symptoms persist for more than one week, you might have an allergy.

If your signs and symptoms are severe — such as severe nasal congestion, difficulty sleeping or wheezing — call your doctor. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath rapidly worsens or if you are short of breath with minimal activity.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Platts-Mills, TAE. Indoor allergens. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec40&isbn=978-0-323-05659-5&sid=1049616576&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec41&uniqId=217729073-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec41. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  2. Atkins D, et al. Diagnosis of allergic disease. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217729073-4/1049619087/1608/434.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50142-0--cesec3_3369. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  3. Balkissoon RC, et al. Disorders of the upper airways. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0015&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1049622658&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0055&uniqId=217729073-5#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0055. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  4. DeShazo RD, et al. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  5. DeShazo RD, et al. Clinical manifestations and epidemiology of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  6. DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  7. Managing indoor allergen culprits. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2009/12/1209_elements.pdf. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  8. Battling pet allergies. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/just4kids/pet_allergies.asp. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  9. Ferguson BJ. Environmental controls of allergies. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2008;41:411.
  10. Tips to remember: Allergy testing. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  11. Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  12. Wegienka GR, et al. Pet ownership is good for the soul, but is it good for the immune system? American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/jaci/content.asp?contentid=9995. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  13. Pet allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/patients/resources/allergies/Pages/pet-allergy.aspx. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  14. Pet allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=63. Accessed Sept. 15, 2010.
  15. Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 16, 2010.
DS00859 Nov. 17, 2010

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