Animal and dust allergy: what triggers a reaction and how it is diagnosed

A cat on the sofa, a warm blanket, and dust on the top shelf of the wardrobe — which of these triggers a reaction? Let's break down which substances trigger allergies, how they are tested, and when emergency help is needed.

What actually triggers a reaction

Allergy is a condition in which the body reacts to something usually harmless: pollen, dust, food, insect stings, or animals. Typical allergens include tree and grass pollen, dust mites, foods, animals (especially pets — cats and dogs), and insect venom.

Substances that cause allergies are mostly animal and plant proteins, protein substances of microorganisms, and sometimes chemical components of food. Manifestations occur when at least 5–7 days have passed between the first and repeated exposure to the allergen. Symptoms may appear within a few minutes or after a few hours.

Many people with asthma have allergic reactions to dust or to microorganisms in animal wool or feathers.

Allergens enter the body through the skin and mucous membranes or reach the blood from sites of inflammation. Drug allergy is considered separately: a medication is converted into a form capable of reacting with proteins, binds to them, and forms an antigen, and the body responds to this complex by producing immunoglobulins.

Symptoms: what to notice

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild, but they can also be very serious. The following manifestations are most often mentioned:

• runny nose or sneezing, redness or watery eyes;
• pain or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead;
• cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath;
• raised rash (hives), itching, or redness of the skin — on dark skin, redness is less noticeable;
• diarrhea, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea or vomiting, swelling of the eyes, lips, mouth, or throat.

Call 103 or 112 immediately if: the lips, mouth, throat, or tongue suddenly swell; breathing becomes very fast or you have difficulty breathing (wheezing or a feeling of suffocation); there is a feeling of tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing; the skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, gray, or pale; sudden severe confusion, drowsiness, or dizziness appears; the person has fainted and cannot be woken; a child is limp, floppy, and not responding as usual. These may be signs of anaphylaxis — a severe reaction that requires immediate hospital care.

How allergy is diagnosed

For suspected allergy, people routinely consult a family doctor. The doctor can arrange allergy tests or refer to a specialized clinic. Examinations include a skin prick test (a drop of allergen on the skin — to see whether there is a reaction), a blood test, and also a special diet in which increasingly larger portions of the product are given gradually to observe the reaction.

If you see a specialist, they may give you an allergy management plan that explains how to live with it.

History and treatment

One of the oldest records of allergy is the legend of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Menes (around 3000 BC), who died from a bee sting; this is believed to have been a case of anaphylaxis. The term "allergy" was introduced by the Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet in 1906. In 1912, the American pediatrician Oscar Schloss was the first to confirm the food origin of some allergies using skin tests. In the 1960s, immunoglobulin E was discovered, and the mechanism of allergic reactions became clearer.

Anaphylaxis is a possible complication of allergy. Its triggers are foods, medications, and the venom of hymenopteran insects; in 20% of cases the cause cannot be identified.

Antihistamines or corticosteroids are used for treatment. An allergist can discuss possible treatment methods, such as allergen-specific immunotherapy, which is carried out only by a medical specialist.

There are studies showing that people who have pets have a significantly lower risk of allergy and obesity — mainly due to improvement of the microbiome.

This material is for reference and does not replace consultation with a doctor, so recurring symptoms are best discussed with your doctor.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer