Pet Hates? 1 in 5 British Allergy Sufferers Say No to Animals at Home
Whether you’re more a dog or a cat person, the benefits of owning a furry friend are well documented. The Mayo Clinic reports that stroking an animal releases oxytocin, a hormone which helps to combat stress and lower blood pressure. For Brits that suffer from airborne allergies, however, the potential side order of sneezes can offset the benefits of pets.
Recent research by Allevia, an allergy relief medication, has found that more than 1 in 4 Brits report being allergic to animal dander, making it the UK’s third most common airborne allergy (following pollen and dust.) This number rises among Gen Z, with 40% of under-24s claiming that owning pets can (literally) bring them out in hives.
No Pet Zone
Despite recent years seeing an upswing in animal adoption, not all Brits are onboard. Just under 1 in 5 British allergy sufferers surveyed (18%) claimed that they avoided having pets at home to manage their symptoms. Older Millennials were the most pet-averse generation, with 22% of survey respondents aged 35-44 declaring their home pet-free due to allergies, while younger Millennials were the most likely to put up with the sniffles for the sake of a furry housemate.
Elsewhere, 1 in 3 Brits claimed they avoided adopting a houseplant to lessen the impact of pollen allergies, with Gen Xers aged 45-54 the most plant-averse age group.
What’s the Risk?
While the odd sneeze or itchy eye may not seem like a good reason to swerve animal (or plant) companionship to everyone, airborne allergies can lead to more serious symptoms. 1 in 10 Brits surveyed claimed they had suffered serious health complications due to airborne allergy symptoms, including struggling to breathe and being admitted to hospital.
Even when not battling such a severe reaction, Brits were avoiding more than just animals. Almost half of all survey respondents (43%) claimed they had avoided social gatherings or time with friends, while 1 in 4 claimed they had taken time off from work. With this equating to a potential 3.5 million Brits taking sick leave due to allergens, it’s clear airborne allergies are impacting the UK’s quality of life.
“These figures serve to put a little discomfort in perspective,” says a spokesperson at Allevia. “What we need to remember are that airborne allergies can be much more serious than a sneeze for some people.”
Rising to the Challenge
While the data can seem daunting, it’s not all over for man’s best friend just yet. The vast majority of Brits suffering from an airborne allergy were still willing to balance their love for their pets with their symptoms.
Over half of all survey respondents (52%) relied on a good spring clean to keep their symptoms at bay while in the presence of allergens, with hoovering, dusting and regular washing of sheets and soft furnishings the preferred symptom reduction method of Gen Zs (despite also rating themselves as the most likely to be allergic.)
"I would never swap my cat for a sneeze-free life", says Michael, 46, from Kent. "While I may occasionally have to reach for a tissue, watching TV with him on my lap does wonders for my mood when I've had a hard day. I'm happy to wash my cushions more often if it means getting to share my home with my feline friend."
One survey respondent claimed an air filter was the best way to reduce the impact of airborne allergy symptoms, while tea tree oil, regular showers and taking allergy relief medication were also popular ways of fending off allergens. It doesn’t seem as if the British public will give up their furry friends without a fight.
For more information on British attitudes an experiences of allergies, please visit https://www.alleviaallergy.co.uk/understanding-allergies/how-do-allergies-impact-brits-day-to-day-lives for the full study.
