Consensus document on dog and cat allergy |
| |
| Authors: | I. Dávila J. Domínguez‐Ortega A. Navarro‐Pulido A. Alonso D. Antolín‐Amerigo E. González‐Mancebo C. Martín‐García B. Núñez‐Acevedo N. Prior M. Reche A. Rosado J. Ruiz‐Hornillos M. C. Sánchez M. Torrecillas |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Allergy Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain;2. Institute for Biomedical Research, IBSAL, Salamanca, Spain;3. Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain;4. Allergy Department, Hospital La Paz, Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain;5. CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain;6. Allergology Clinical Management Unit (UGC), El Tomillar Hospital, Sevilla, Spain;7. Allergy Department, Valladolid Medical Alliance, Valladolid, Spain;8. Immune System Diseases Department‐Allergy Unit, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Madrid, Spain;9. Department of Medicine and medical specialties (IRYCIS), University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain;10. Allergy Unit, University Hospital of Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain;11. Allergy Department, Virgen de la Concha Hospital, Zamora, Spain;12. Allergy Department, Infanta Sofía Hospital, Madrid, Spain;13. Allergy Department, Severo Ochoa University Hospital, Madrid, Spain;14. Allergy Unit, Alcorcón Foundation University Hospital, Madrid, Spain;15. Allergy Department, Infanta Elena Hospital, Valdemoro, Spain;16. Allergy Unit, Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital, Huelva, Spain;17. Allergy Department, Albacete University General Hospital Complex, Albacete, Spain |
| |
| Abstract: | The prevalence of sensitization to dogs and cats varies by country, exposure time and predisposition to atopy. It is estimated that 26% of European adults coming to the clinic for suspected allergy to inhalant allergens are sensitized to cats and 27% to dogs. This document is intended to be a useful tool for clinicians involved in the management of people with dog or cat allergy. It was prepared from a consensus process based on the RAND/UCLA method. Following a literature review, it proposes various recommendations concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, grounded in evidence and clinical experience. The diagnosis of dog and cat allergy is based on a medical history and physical examination that are consistent with each other and is confirmed with positive results on specific IgE skin tests. Sometimes, especially in polysensitized patients, molecular diagnosis is strongly recommended. Although the most advisable measure would be to avoid the animal, this is often impossible and associated with a major emotional impact. Furthermore, indirect exposure to allergens occurs in environments in which animals are not present. Immunotherapy is emerging as a potential solution to this problem, although further supporting studies are needed. |
| |
| Keywords: | allergen immunotherapy allergic sensitisation furry animals hypersensitivity |
|
|
