Allergy
Essential Kids, April 15, 2009
There are many misconceptions about Seasonal Allergies
“Short-haired pets don’t cause allergies”
Neither an animal’s fur, nor its length, is the culprit in allergies. The real culprit is a protein found in the animal’s saliva or skin.
Cats may cause more allergy problems than dogs simply because they tend to lick their fur a lot, spreading the protein onto their coats. Rodents and rabbits may also be allergenic.
If you are allergic to furry pets, consider adopting one of these furless friends: fish, hermit crabs, iguanas or snakes.
“Hay fever is caused by hay”
The popular term ‘hayfever‘ is considered a misnomer because the condition is neither caused by hay, nor is it a fever.
The term was coined in 1828 by a British physician when he noticed that his allergy symptoms worsened during the British haying season.
Today, the term is used to describe blocked nose, coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and other symptoms caused by any plants that pollinate or moulds that produce spores – usually in the late spring, summer or autumn.