Most of these reactions are of the allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis type. Less than half of these will actually be asthma. People who have a prior personal history or family history of asthma, hay fever, or eczema will be more likely to develop asthma after contact with animals, but these people do not seem any more likely to develop rhinitis and conjunctivitis than do people without such personal or family history. Because of this, it is necessary that everyone exercise certain precautions to attempt to prevent animal allergy . These attempts should not be focused only on people with atopic history.
Symptoms can develop anywhere from months to years after a person begins working with animals.
A majority of the individuals who are going to develop symptoms will do so within the first year. It is unusual to develop symptoms after more than two years of animal contact. Certain procedures should be routinely followed in order to prevent the development of animal allergy. These same procedures can help to limit allergic symptoms in those who have an animal allergy. Animals should be worked with in extremely well ventilated areas to prevent build up of various particles in the air.