Animal allergies are one of the most common conditions affecting individuals who regularly work with or around animals. And people who are already predisposed to developing allergies are at an increased risk of developing Laboratory Animal Allergies (LAA). It is important to understand the source of these allergens, routes of exposure, and how to protect yourself if you are vulnerable to developing LAA.
What are Animal Allergens?
- Animal allergens are proteins found in animal tissues and waste. These proteins can be found in dander, urine, fur, saliva, feathers, blood, and feces. Allergic reactions are an overreaction from the immune system to these proteins. Allergies can take weeks, months, or years to develop after repeated exposure.
Are you exposed?
- Allergens can be released into the air when dander or fur is shed from the animals or during animal related procedures (e.g. cage changes)
- Through direct skin or eye contact
- Through breaks in the skin (e.g. bites or scratches)
Are you at risk?
- All people who work with lab animals, around lab animals, or in rooms where lab animals are present are at increased risk of developing allergies to them.
- People with a history of other allergies, a history of working with animals, and exposure to tobacco smoke are at increased risk for developing lab animal allergies.
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
How to reduce allergen exposure:
Engineering Controls:
- Use a fume hood, biosafety cabinet, or animal transfer station any time you open a cage or handle an animal. For animals exposed to chemical or biological hazards, follow your protocol guidelines.
- Use cages with filter tops or cage racks that filter the air before releasing it into the room.
PPE Controls:
- Use PPE to reduce skin and eye exposure. Facility dedicated scrubs, lab coats, gloves, hair bonnets, sleeve covers, goggles, and masks may all help reduce allergen exposure. Refer to room/facility signage for required PPE.
- N95 respirators offer the best respiratory protection against animal allergens but do require annual fit testing. Contact Occupational Medicine to schedule fit testing. Additionally PAPRs may be used to reduce allergen risk.
Work Practice Controls:
- Wash hands and exposed skin after handling animals, before break times and at the end of the work.
- Avoid touching exposed skin (face and eyes) when working around animals.
- Keep work surfaces in animal area clean by wet wiping and mopping after work.
- Limit your continued exposure after leaving work by showering and shampooing hair daily. Leave exposed work clothes and shoes at work or launder promptly.
Symptoms and Evaluations
Symptoms:
The earliest symptoms include nasal stuffiness, a “runny” nose, sneezing, red irritated eyes, difficulty breathing, hives and itchy skin. Reminder: allergies can take weeks, months, or years to develop after repeated exposure.
If you experience a change in your health or new allergy symptoms, update the Animal Contact Risk Questionnaire (ACRQ) and submit it. Do not wait until your annual update is due to report new symptoms.
Evaluations:
Occupational Medicine offers evaluations of symptoms, assists in interventions and monitors employee health. Contact UHS to schedule an evaluation via MyUHS or call 608-265-5610