The symptoms for animal allergy are asthma, allergic rhinitis/hayfever, itchy eyes, and sometimes eczema.

Most people are sensitised by contact with their own pet. However, occasional contact with other animals can also trigger an allergy. It is therefore not a good idea to keep animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits or mice in schools. Contact with these animals can sensitise young children.

The initial “treatment” is to evict the allergen. This is not always easy because removing the culprit animal could cause considerable stress.

At the very least the pet should be excluded from the bedroom. The amount of allergen can be reduced by regularly washing the animal (weekly).