HORSE HAIR ALLERGY
Key Allergens
There are 6 allergens associated with an allergy to horses, this includes their hair, dander (which is flakes of dry skin), urine and saliva.
Equ c 1 and Equ c 2 are lipocalin proteins, in other animal dander allergies this is the protein that most individuals react to. These proteins transport molecules like lipids and steroids around the body.
Equ c 3 is a serum albumin protein, people who are allergic to this protein are more likely to be allergic to other mammals and very rarely can become allergic to eating mammalian meats such as beef, chicken and pork, which also contain these proteins.
Equ c 6 is a lysozyme which is a contact allergen and is also found in donkeys and chickens.
Associated Syndromes
Allergy to horse hair is strongly strongly associated with allergic rhinitis as well as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.
Cross Reactivity
A horse allergy can be strongly linked to other animal allergies due to the lipocalin proteins. There is evidence of cross reactivity due to this protein with cockroaches, cows, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, cats, mice, rabbits and rats.
In extreme cases there may be some cross reactivity between other foods containing serum albumin proteins. These foods include meats such as beef, pork and chicken.
These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
Resources
Websites
Healthline - Horse Allergy: Yes, it's a thing
Allergen Encyclopedia - Horse
Science Direct - Lipocalin
Allergy UK - Pet Allergy Factsheet
Articles and Journals
Component-Resolved Diagnosis Based on a Recombinant Variant of Mus m 1 Lipocalin Allergen, 2023
The diversity of lipocalin receptors, 2022
Exotic pet allergy, 2019
Diagnosis of Allergy to Mammals and Fish: Cross-Reactive vs. Specific Markers, 2017
Horse Allergy: Curly Horses Allow Horse Allergic Riders To Ride Again, 2015
Allergy to uncommon pets: new allergies but the same allergens, 2013
Characterization of the dog lipocalin allergen Can f 6: the role in cross-reactivity with cat and horse, 2012
Anaphylaxis as a Manifestation of Horse Allergy, 2009
Anaphylaxis after a horse bite, 2005
Clinical experience with specific immunotherapy to horse dander, 2002
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