# Animal allergy

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In [medicine](/source/Medicine), **animal allergy** is hypersensitivity to certain substances produced by animals, such as the proteins in [animal hair](/source/Animal_hair) and [saliva](/source/Saliva). It is a common type of [allergy](/source/Allergy).

## Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of an allergic reaction to animals may include itchy skin, nasal congestion, itchy nose, sneezing, chronic sore throat or itchy throat, swollen, red, itchy, and watery eyes, coughing, asthma, or rash on the face or chest.[citation needed]

## Causes

Allergies are caused by an oversensitive [immune system](/source/Immune_system), leading to a misdirected [immune response](/source/Immune_response). The immune system normally protects the body against harmful substances such as [bacteria](/source/Bacterium) and [viruses](/source/Virus). Allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to substances ([allergens](/source/Allergen)) that are generally harmless and in most people do not cause an immune response.

Allergies may react to:

- [Animal hair](/source/Fur)[1]
- [Dander](/source/Dander)[1]
- [Saliva](/source/Saliva)[1]
- [Urine](/source/Urine)[1]
- [cockroach](/source/Cockroach) calyx
- [dust mite](/source/Dust_mite) excretion

Furry animals are one of the most significant sources of year-round indoor inhalant allergens. Close contact with animals may extend beyond the home, including recreational activities such as horseback riding. Additionally, certain individuals may come into contact with animals as part of their professional duties.[2] Developing an allergy to animals are an [occupational hazard](/source/Occupational_hazard) for workers in veterinary medicine, [animal research](/source/Animal_research) facilities, and pet shops.[3] Exposure routes include direct contact (e.g., touching an animal, cleaning a cage) and indirect contact (e.g., breathing airborne particles).[3] Among laboratory workers, the first few years of working with animals are the highest risk for developing an allergy.[3]

People with [atopy](/source/Atopy) (e.g., [atopic dermatitis](/source/Atopic_dermatitis), [hay fever](/source/Hay_fever), [eczema](/source/Eczema), [allergic asthma](/source/Allergic_asthma)) have a higher than average risk of developing an animal allergy if they frequently handle animals, such as in an occupational setting.[3]

## Treatment

As with any other allergy, avoidance is the first line of treatment.[3]

## See also

- [Cat allergy](/source/Allergies_to_cats)
- [List of allergens](/source/List_of_allergens)

## References

1. LaDou, Joseph & Harrison, Robert (2021-05-06). [*CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 6th Edition*](https://books.google.com/books?id=SqYsEAAAQBAJ). McGraw Hill Professional. p. 239. ISBN 978-1-260-14344-7.

1. Gromek, Weronika; Kołdej, Natalia; Kurowski, Marcin; Majsiak, Emilia (2025-07-30). ["Furry Animal Allergy: Lipocalins, Serum Albumins, and Secretoglobins—Cross-Reactivity, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies"](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-025-09086-7). *Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology*. **68** (1): 75. [doi:10.1007/s12016-025-09086-7](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-025-09086-7). [ISSN 1559-0267](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1559-0267). [PMC 12310848](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12310848). [PMID 40739451](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40739451)

1. Stave, Gregg M. & Wald, Peter H. (2016-11-14). [*Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace*](https://books.google.com/books?id=2_GADQAAQBAJ&pg=PA526&hl=en). John Wiley & Sons. pp. 526–528. ISBN 978-1-119-27652-4.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Animal allergy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_allergy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_allergy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.