Animals have interacted with humans for thousands of

years.  But here\\\'s some news to all you animal lovers: that sneezing,

coughing, hacking, runny nose and those rashes that appear on your skin

may be caused by small, furry creatures that you so love and admire. 

Are you allergic to pets or other animals?  Here is a list of animals

that commonly trigger allergies in humans:

Cats and dogs

Most

dogs and cats that trigger allergy have fur.  Since these animals shed

regularly, the tiny hairs eventually find themselves on the skin, in

the nose and mouth.  When this does happen, allergic symptoms occur. 

This can happen whether the animal is longhaired or shorthaired.

What

about hairless breeds?  For people whose allergies are triggered by

animal hair, keeping a hairless cat or dog seems to solve the problem. 

That is, until the animal develops a skin problem and sheds dander or

dead skin.  This can then trigger an allergy.

Horses

Like

cats and dogs, horses can also trigger allergy through their saliva. 

There are certain proteins in horse\\\'s saliva that can be problematic to

people who are hypersensitive.  Horse dander can also cause allergic

reactions.

Rabbits

Rabbits have fine hair

that when shed, can trigger allergies in people who have a sensitivity

to them.  People who have allergies or asthma might suffer from

wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose.  Nasal congestion is

also common.  Their urine also contains certain proteins that can cause

itching or rashes upon direct contact.

Guinea pigs and hamsters

Guinea

pigs and hamsters are quite cuddly and are low-maintenance animals. 

Many of them have been domesticated and are found in many households as

pets.  They are generally easy to care for, which makes them quite

popular with children, young teens and even adults.

The problem

with guinea pigs and hamsters is that their hair, dander and urine can

trigger allergy.  To someone who has asthma or has hypersensitivity to

the proteins in the animal\\\'s urine, the animal can be a source of

physical discomfort.  Symptoms can vary, ranging from skin rashes to

sneezing and asthma.

Mice and rats

These

are the guinea pig\\\'s wilder cousins.  People who are hypersensitive or

those who have not developed antibodies to certain allergy-causing

proteins secreted by these animals can also suffer from allergic

reactions to their hair, urine, feces and saliva.

Birds and poultry

Birds,

ducks, chickens and their kind can also trigger allergies in humans. 

Direct contact with their feces and the downy part of their feathers

can cause certain physical discomfort.  Consumption of eggs can also

cause certain allergic reactions in certain individuals.

Cows

Cows

produce milk, which contains common allergy-causing substances.  Cows

can, through their milk, cause the gastrointestinal discomfort

associated with lactose intolerance.  Direct contact with their urine

can also trigger allergies in certain individuals.