Allergy to horse may affect several people. Manifestations may vary according to the allergy type, such as:

* Watery eyes * Hives or rashes * Itchy eyes, skin or nose * Asthma attacks * Sneezing and coughing * Breathing difficulty

Running into horses for the first time entails a careful assessment of a possible allergy upshot. The asthmatic population is a special group to mind over since a horse allergy may complicate into an asthma episode which can really be morbid when at its worst. Special preventive measures, like preparing medications and inhaler, should be carried out for people with asthma. Children with asthma must be closely supervised when first encountering horses.

Dander is often blamed for horse allergy. Dander is a result of the flaking of the horse’s skin and falling of hair. Aside from dander, horse mites, particularly their droppings, are also typical culprits of horse allergy. A third set of causes is horse urine and saliva.

In spite of putting distance from horses, the occurrence of horse allergy may still happen through indirect contact. To illustrate, tack and clothing used during riding a horse may harbor mite droppings and dander, which may also rub off to rugs and blankets. Getting in contact with these may consequently result to horse allergy. Some experiences tell of a scenario wherein one family member who rides horses triggered the allergy attack of another non-riding member by way of his riding gear and clothing which he brought home. It is prudent then for the rider to change clothes and swab off tack before heading home. Confined places, such as the barn, where horses have settled in must also be avoided to prevent an allergic attack even if the horses have vacated the place already.

Treatment

“Prevention rather than cure” is a common approach to any type of allergy, as in horse allergy. If this does not work, therapeutic products such as anti-histamines, desensitizing substances and corticosteroids are also an option but may wisely be employed with a doctor’s advice.

An analysis to identify the particular element of the horse that one is sensitive to should be undergone for people who must be around horses so that treatment options can be readily made available.

* When the particular allergen is dander, horses with curly hair do not bring about such reaction according to many people. It appears that they give off little dander, thus, making it possible for allergic riders to ride them.

* When the test shows that horse mites are the culprit, allergy attacks may be toned down by treating the horses and their boxes against mites.

* Underscoring horse urine as the allergen, shunning affected areas like the horse box and cleaning the horse may make it feasible for allergic people to be with horses.

* Through proper identification of the allergen a person is sensitive to, allergy attacks can be prevented allowing him to tolerate the presence of horses.

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