People can be allergic to many things and some people are allergic to horses. Depending on the person, this can result in one or more of the following symptoms: - Itchy or watery eyes - Itchy or running nose - Itchy skin, hives or rashes - Sneezing or coughing - Difficulty breathing - Asthma attack
The severity of these symptoms can range from a minor runny nose to a serious asthma attack. In the case of asthma sufferers, care should be taken when first coming into contact with horses, as there have been a few cases of fatal asthma attacks. This is doubly true for asthmatic children, who in the excitement of being with horses may not notice the early symptoms, so they should be monitored by an adult when first encountering horses to ensure that they do not have a serious adverse reaction.
The most common cause of horse allergies is horse dander (bits of hair and skin which flake off, like dandruff). Other common causes include horse mites, urine and even horse salvia.
It is not uncommon for people to have an allergic reaction without being near a horse, through indirect contact. For example, if you enter a barn or other enclosed space where horses have been, one can come into contact with allergic agents even though the horses are not present at the time. Likewise, if a family member rides or works with horses, it is possible to have a reaction upon exposure to clothes or tack which they bring home which are carrying bits of allergic agents (e.g. dander).
Fortunately, horse allergies can be treated, using the same approaches as for other allergies. These include avoidance (if practical and acceptable), medications (such as anti-histamines or corticosteroids), or desensitizing treatment.
If you wish to ride but are allergic to horses, you may wish to try the 'curly horse' breeds as many people who suffer from horse allergies find that they are not allergic to these breeds.
Another approach is to find out which aspect of the horse you are allergic to (by trial-and-error, or by being medically tested) and then simply avoiding this aspect. For example, if one is allergic to horse mites, reducing their population by treating the horse and its box against mites may resolve the issue. Likewise, if one is allergic only to horse salvia or urine, take care to avoid these specific elements. - 32378
The severity of these symptoms can range from a minor runny nose to a serious asthma attack. In the case of asthma sufferers, care should be taken when first coming into contact with horses, as there have been a few cases of fatal asthma attacks. This is doubly true for asthmatic children, who in the excitement of being with horses may not notice the early symptoms, so they should be monitored by an adult when first encountering horses to ensure that they do not have a serious adverse reaction.
The most common cause of horse allergies is horse dander (bits of hair and skin which flake off, like dandruff). Other common causes include horse mites, urine and even horse salvia.
It is not uncommon for people to have an allergic reaction without being near a horse, through indirect contact. For example, if you enter a barn or other enclosed space where horses have been, one can come into contact with allergic agents even though the horses are not present at the time. Likewise, if a family member rides or works with horses, it is possible to have a reaction upon exposure to clothes or tack which they bring home which are carrying bits of allergic agents (e.g. dander).
Fortunately, horse allergies can be treated, using the same approaches as for other allergies. These include avoidance (if practical and acceptable), medications (such as anti-histamines or corticosteroids), or desensitizing treatment.
If you wish to ride but are allergic to horses, you may wish to try the 'curly horse' breeds as many people who suffer from horse allergies find that they are not allergic to these breeds.
Another approach is to find out which aspect of the horse you are allergic to (by trial-and-error, or by being medically tested) and then simply avoiding this aspect. For example, if one is allergic to horse mites, reducing their population by treating the horse and its box against mites may resolve the issue. Likewise, if one is allergic only to horse salvia or urine, take care to avoid these specific elements. - 32378
About the Author:
The article Allergy to Horses was written by Dr. Doug Stewart, who has a special affection forCurly Horses.
