Ok, well I noticed that some people seem to believe or think or
whatever that when you're allergic to an animal you're allergic to the
animal's fur. This is NOT true. The person is allergic to the dander
that the animal produces and certain hormones/chemicals in that dander.
Some animals also produce this hormone/chemical in their saliva so that
when they lick their fur or your skin the person has a more immediate
allergic response. Also - dogs, cats, and ferrets are ALL fur bearing
animals, NOT hair bearing animals - with the exception of certain
breeds such as the poodle. Fur sheds much more easily than hair,
leaving little strands of fur with the dander and the hormone/chemical
all over your house, in your carpet, in the dust, and on your clothing
making it much easier to cause an allergic reaction.

So, it is very possible for someone to be allergic to ferrets and not
cats or dogs - or have a noticeable reaction to ferrets but only be
slightly allergic to cats and dogs. The person could be only (or more)
allergic to the hormone/chemical that ferrets produce - and I'm betting
that the same hormone/chemical is in the ferret's saliva because of all
the grooming ferrets do, thus causing the reaction to be more severe
and immediate.

My source: a relative of mine is an allergist and he explained all of
this to me.

[NC]

[Posted in FML 6571]