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Allergy to Cattle

Allergies to household pets such as dogs and cats are commonly discussed, but they aren't the only animal allergies for humans. Cattle allergies can be a big problem, both for farmers and for urban dwellers exposed to allergens through meat and milk. An allergy to cattle may cause asthma, dermatitis and other problems in adults and children, but can be treated using relatively simple techniques.

  1. Symptoms

    • According to the IAOEH, farmers with cattle allergies often have asthma symptoms, runny noses and sneezing (rhinitis) or both. According to Doctor's Guide, children in urban areas can develop skin-related allergic symptoms (atopic dermatitis) from exposure to cow's milk. When tested, these children are also usually allergic to cow's hair and dander.

    Function

    • People suffering from cattle allergies are actually allergic to specific proteins secreted in the saliva, urine and in skin glands. These proteins become attached to the cattle's dander and hair and can also be spread through milk. Proteins are unique to each species and can be different from one breed of cattle to the next. This means that someone allergic to cattle won't necessarily be allergic to goats. Unfortunately, someone with an allergy does have a higher chance of developing allergies to new animals.

    Time Frame

    • Cattle allergies can develop at any age. Doctor's Guide reports an incident of a 10-month-old child with allergic dermatitis from cow's milk, but many farmers go years or decades without showing symptoms. This is because allergies may not appear until a person has become overly sensitive to cattle proteins. Cattle allergies may appear suddenly, or they may start as mild symptoms and become worse over the years.

    Considerations

    • Some people with cattle allergies may not test positive for those allergies when tested using standard methods (serological). If you suspect you have a cattle allergy, but have tested negative using this kind of test, you may wish to request an immunoblotting test. According to IAOEH, farmers who showed not results on a serological test showed distinct reactions on immunoblotting tests. You may need more than one test to determine your specific allergy.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Treatment for cattle allergies depends on the situation. In children without exposure to actual cattle, removing cow's milk from the diet may be enough to reduce the symptoms. Farmers with cattle allergies need to wear special clothes when working with cattle and wash their hands frequently. Some farmers also use respirators to prevent inhalation of dander. Your doctor may also prescribe antihistimines and other anti-allergy drugs to reduce your symptoms.

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