Goose Allergy

A goose allergy occurs if the immune system reacts to goose skin, feathers or excrement. When an adverse reaction occurs, the immune system produces an antibody known as immunoglobulin E to guard against what it perceives as a threat. Goose products are not harmful to those who aren't allergic. But individuals who suffer from goose allergies may experience symptoms that involve the sinus, skin, airways and digestive system.

Risk Factors

• According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three major risk factors in developing any type of allergy:
  Family history: There is an increased risk of allergies if fellow family members have allergies such as hives or hay fever.
  Age: Children develop allergies more frequently than adults. Although children often outgrow their allergies, they can come back at any point.
  Other allergies or asthma: People who have one type of allergic reaction, or asthma, are at an increased risk of developing another, separate allergy.

Goose Allergy Symptoms

• Goose allergy symptoms aren't severe but can be quite miserable. WrongDiagnosis.com reports that there are currently 20 symptoms relating to goose allergies:
  --Runny nose
  --Itchy nose
  --Watery eyes
  --Sore eyes
  --Itchy eyes
  --Swollen eyes
  --Itchy throat
  --Red eyes
  --Sneezing
  --Breathing difficulty
  --Chronic sore throat
  --Scratchy throat
  --Coughing
  --Wheezing
  --Itchy skin
  --Skin welts
  --Nausea
  --Asthma-like symptoms
  --Eczema
  --Red skin

Diagnostic Testing

• A skin test may be used to discover if goose products are indeed causing an allergic response. A small amount of the allergen is placed on or below the skin during the test to see if a reaction develops. There are three types of skin tests: a skin prick test, an intradermal test and a skin patch test.

  A blood test may also be administered to find antibodies in the blood. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA) is the most common blood test used. It measures the level of immunoglobulin E the body makes in response to allergens.

Medical Treatment

• Many types of doctors can detect and treat goose allergies. An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist or an allergist, for example, can recommend prescription medications to help control allergy symptoms. They can also provide allergy shots called immunotherapy.
  Antihistamines, over-the-counter medications that block a natural substance (histamine) produced by the body during an allergic reaction, work to relieve symptoms of a goose allergy. Antihistamines aren't for everyone. Those who are breast feeding, have narrow-angle glaucoma or take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor should avoid this medication.
  Nasal sprays, oral steroids and eye drops are other viable options in treating symptoms of a goose allergy.

Avoidance

• Those who suffer from a goose allergy should avoid the allergen at all cost. No matter what kind of goose product is causing the reaction--feathers, skin or excrement--proper precautions must be made to reduce the risk of exposure.