Both dogs and cats can cause allergies, but cats are twice as likely to do so. | Unsplash/Louis-Philippe Poitras
Both dogs and cats can cause allergies, but cats are twice as likely to do so. | Unsplash/Louis-Philippe Poitras
If your allergy symptoms get worse around pets, you're likely suffering from a pet allergy and not necessarily the spring season.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. Dr. Nicholas Hollenkamp at Indianapolis Sinus Center says there is oftentimes a link between sinus issues and allergies.
“Not everyone with allergies has sinus problems," Hollenkamp told Hoosier State Today. "Not everyone with sinus problems has allergies, but there's a whole lot of overlap between the two. They're both different mechanisms of inflammation; they work in a little bit different ways. But they both cause inflammation."
In adults, chronic sinusitis most often is linked to nasal swelling, which can cause facial pain and is caused by allergens, according to Harvard Medical School.
In the U.S., as many as 30% of people with allergies have reactions to cats and dogs. Suffering a reaction to cats is about twice as common as suffering a reaction from dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
Scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that more than half of U.S. households have a dog, a cat or both.
A pet allergy can contribute to persistent allergy symptoms. Symptoms are very similar to seasonal allergies: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and facial pain due to nasal congestion, according to the ACAAI.
Unfortunately, the idea of "hypoallergenic pets" is a myth. There is no true allergy-safe pet, according to Mayo Clinic. Even hairless cats and dogs can trigger a reaction. It would be more accurate to say that some people are more allergic to certain dog and cat breeds than others.
A study from 2011 found that the level of dog allergens in homes with hypoallergenic dogs was no different than the level of dog allergens in homes with other types of dogs, according to the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy.
If you're interested in evaluating your sinus or allergy symptoms and are considering seeing a doctor, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.
Alerts Sign-up