Allergies to parrots

One of the types of household allergy, which increasingly affects the population of different ages, is an allergy to domestic birds, and in urban apartments - an allergy to parrots, canaries and other ornamental birds.

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How does the parrot allergy develop?

Actually, the allergy to parrots is manifested as a hyperimmune response to foreign proteins of feathers / down, on particles of the skin of birds, on litter, on the products of vital activity of external and internal parasites of birds, on the components of feed mixtures. Let's consider in more detail Feathers and down are composed of horny, long-lasting evolution of epithelial cells (skin). Having lost external resemblance to the skin, the feathers / down have a protein composition similar to the skin cells and are also able to disintegrate into minute scales, gradually decomposing in a natural way. The process of sloughing off individual cells from the surface of the pen can not be controlled, but it is the cause of saturation with allergens of the environment. A similar process occurs also when the epithelial cells are removed from the surface of the skin, which also carry protein protein allergens similar to the pen cells. In the litter of domestic birds contains a significant amount of allergens - its own protein complexes, as well as products of its vital activity. The structure of the excretory system of birds assumes the presence of one hole of the intestine, the bladder is absent, the ammonia products of the breakdown of proteins enter the final section of the intestine and mix with feces, therefore the litter contains semi-dry decay products that easily turn into dust and, if inhaled, can significantly irritate even completely healthy mucous membranes .

Separately, there are cases when the allergy to parrots and other domestic birds is caused not by birds proper, but by the products of their parasites. To parasites - allergens should be attributed to ticks that can easily be detected by a veterinarian, worms that cause excessive desquamation of the skin and change the composition of the litter. These types of parasites are easily amenable to treatment, which, on the whole, reduces the allergenic effect of birds on humans.

How is the parrot allergy recognized?

In general, the general allergenic effect of birds on humans can be minimized by adhering to the rules of hygiene and the most thorough conduct of wet cleanings. Many of the minor manifestations of allergic reactions can fade away on their own due to desensitisation 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 kind of chlamydia is very often transmitted from parrots and other domestic birds by airborne droplets due to the inhalation of particles of litter, extremely rarely through eating contaminated meat. From person to person, ornithosis is not transmitted. Birds quite often are carriers of this type of chlamydia, the primary infection is symptomatically coinciding with the manifestations of allergy attacks - the deterioration of well-being increases, the temperature rises, there is headache and muscle pain. In 2-4 days after infection, dry cough, reddening of mucous membranes, sputum gradually appears. In the case of an acute attack of poor health for conducting diffusion of ornithosis and a classic attack of an allergic reaction, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

It should be noted that allergies to parrots do not occur immediately after the termination of contact with the birds themselves. In the room for a very long time there may be traces of the life of birds that will have some time of their allergic effect. It is also necessary to take into account the individual decay time of the immune response.