Parrot allergy

One of the types of household allergies that increasingly affects people of all ages is an allergy to domestic birds, and in city apartments – an allergy to parrots, canaries and other decorative birds.

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How does an allergy to parrots develop?

Actually, allergy to parrots manifests itself as a hyperimmune response to feather down proteins foreign to the human body, to particles of bird skin, to droppings, to the waste products of external and internal parasites of birds, to the components of feed mixtures. Let's consider in more detail. Feathers and down consist of keratinized epithelial cells (skin) that have undergone a long evolution. Having lost their external resemblance to skin, feather down has a protein composition similar to skin cells and is also capable of disintegrating over time into tiny scales, gradually decomposing naturally. The process of exfoliation of individual cells from the surface of the feather is impossible to control, but it is the reason for the saturation of the environment with allergens. A similar process occurs when epithelial cells are exfoliated from the surface of the skin, which also carry protein allergens similar to feather cells. The droppings of domestic birds contain a significant amount of allergens - their own protein complexes, as well as products of its vital activity. The structure of the excretory system of birds assumes the presence of one intestinal opening, the urinary bladder is absent, ammonia products of protein breakdown enter the final section of the intestine and mix with feces, therefore the droppings contain semi-dry breakdown products that easily turn into dust and, when inhaled, can significantly irritate even completely healthy mucous membranes.

It is necessary to separately discuss cases when allergies to parrots and other domestic birds are caused not by the birds themselves, but by the waste products of their parasites. Parasites - allergens include ticks, which can be easily detected by a veterinarian, worms, which cause excessive peeling of the skin and change the composition of the droppings. These types of parasites are easily treated, which, in general, reduces the allergenic effect of birds on humans.

How is parrot allergy recognized?

In general, the general allergenic effect of birds on humans can be minimized by following hygiene rules and performing wet cleaning as thoroughly as possible. Many minor manifestations of allergic reactions can subside on their own due to desensitization of the body.

Of particular note are cases of ornithosis mistaken for cases of allergy to parrots. Ornithosis, or "parrot disease," is caused by an intracellular parasite, the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. This type of chlamydia is very often transmitted from parrots and other domestic birds by airborne droplets due to inhalation of droppings, and very rarely by eating contaminated meat. Ornithosis is not transmitted from person to person. Birds are quite often carriers of this type of chlamydia, the primary infection symptomatically coincides with the manifestations of allergy attacks - a deterioration in health increases, the temperature rises, headaches and muscle pain appear. 2-4 days after infection, a dry cough, reddening of the mucous membranes are possible, sputum gradually appears. In the event of an acute attack of poor health, it is necessary to consult a specialist to conduct a differential diagnosis of ornithosis and a classic attack of an allergic reaction.

It should be noted that allergy to parrots does not go away immediately after contact with the birds themselves ceases. Traces of the birds' activity may remain in the room for a very long time, which will continue to exert their allergenic effect for some time. It is also necessary to take into account the individual time of attenuation of the immune response.