The numbers of reptiles in homes has at least doubled in the last decade in Europe and the USA. Reptile purchases are increasingly triggered by the attempt to avoid potentially allergenic fur pets like @entity235 and @entity468 . Consequently, reptiles are today regarded as surrogate pets initiating a closer relationship with the owner than ever previously observed. Reptile pets are mostly fed with insects, especially grasshoppers and/or locusts, which are sources for aggressive airborne allergens, best known from occupational insect breeder @entity566 . Exposure in homes thus introduces a new form of @entity566 to grasshoppers and related insects. Accordingly, an 8-year old @entity1 developed severe @entity56 and @entity565 within 4  months after purchase of a bearded dragon. The reptile was held in the living room and regularly fed with living grasshoppers. In the absence of a serological @entity566 diagnosis test, an IgE immunoblot on grasshopper extract and prick-to-prick test confirmed specific sensitization to grasshoppers. After 4  years of allergen avoidance, a single respiratory exposure was sufficient to trigger a severe @entity565 attack again in the @entity1 . Based on literature review and the clinical example we conclude that reptile keeping is associated with introducing potent insect allergens into home environments. @entity1 interviews during diagnostic procedure should therefore by default include the question about reptile pets in homes.

Caution: Reptile pets shuttle grasshopper @entity566 and XXXX into homes.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patient', 'boy', 'Patient'] @entity235 :: ('9615', 'Species') :: ['dogs'] @entity566 :: ('MESH:D006967', 'Disease') :: ['allergy', 'allergies', 'domestic allergy'] @entity565 :: ('MESH:D001249', 'Disease') :: ['asthma'] @entity56 :: ('MESH:D004342', 'Disease') :: ['bronchial hypersensitivity'] @entity468 :: ('9685', 'Species') :: ['cats']
@entity565 :: (MESH:D001249,Disease) :: ['asthma']
