ABSTRACT
A wide range of materials derived from mammals contains potentially allergenic material. These materials include hair, dander, serum, saliva, and urine, all of which humans can be exposed to during contact with animals. This chapter focuses on airborne allergens from mammals. Sensitization to mammalian allergens can occur in susceptible individuals following contact with animals either in the home environment or through occupational exposure. Farmers and farm workers are exposed to a number of different aeroallergens, which include pollens, grain dust, and crop contaminants, such as fungi and storage mites, as well as animal-derived allergens. Although storage mites are thought to be the most important occupational sensitizers in farmers, mammalian allergens have also been shown to cause respiratory disease in exposed individuals. Ideally, to eliminate exposure to allergens released from pets, the pet animal should be removed from the house.
