Dog and Cat Allergies and Allergen Avoidance Measures in Korean Adult Pet Owners Who Participated in a Pet Exhibition.
10.4168/aair.2018.10.2.155
- Author:
Min Suk YANG
1
;
Sang Pyo LEE
;
Young Jae KWON
;
Sang Min LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dogs;
cats;
allergy
- MeSH:
Adult*;
Allergens;
Animals;
Cats*;
Dogs*;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity*;
Korea;
Ownership;
Skin
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
2018;10(2):155-164
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study evaluated dog and cat allergies and their association with allergen avoidance measures in Korean adults. METHODS: The study population consisted of 537 adults who currently kept dogs or cats and participated in a pet exhibition in Korea. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires regarding pet ownership, allergen avoidance, and allergy symptoms, and underwent skin prick tests. They were considered to have a dog or cat allergy if they suffered from one or more of allergy symptoms during contact with their pets. RESULTS: In total, 103 of 407 dog owners (25.3%) and 45 of 130 cat owners (34.6%) had a dog or cat allergy, respectively. Dog owners kept 1.3±1.5 dogs; this number did not differ according to the presence of dog allergy. Dog owners with a dog allergy had owned their dogs longer than those without (88.0±72.0 vs 67.5±72.7 months, P < 0.05). Cat owners kept 2.1±3.6 cats; this number did not differ according to the presence of cat allergy, nor did the duration of cat ownership. Cat owners with a cat allergy had facial contact and slept with their cats less frequently (8.6±11.9 vs 18.3±27.0 times/day, P < 0.01; 71.1% vs 81.2%, P < 0.05); however, they had their cats shaved and beds cleaned less frequently than those without (1.8±3.3 vs 3.2±4.4 times/year, P < 0.05; 1.5±1.5 vs 3.9±6.0 times/month, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Cat owners with a cat allergy tried to minimize contact with their cats, but efforts to avoid indoor cat allergens were lower than those without. In comparison, dog owners with a dog allergy had kept their dogs for longer time than those without; however, current contact with their dogs and allergen avoidance measures did not differ between the 2 groups.
