Horse allergy in children
BMJ 2000; 321 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7256.286 (Published 29 July 2000) Cite this as: BMJ 2000;321:286
- Graham Roberts, research fellow,
- Gideon Lack, consultant (gideon.lack@sm.stmarys-tr.nthanes.nhs.uk)
- Paediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College School of Medicine at St Mary's, London W2 1NY
- Correspondence to: G Lack
- Accepted 13 December 1999
Horse dander may be the “hidden” allergen responsible for a child's asthma
Allergy to pets, such as cats and dogs, causes significant morbidity in children.1 Apart from immediate symptoms of hypersensitivity, allergens from pets are associated with chronic childhood asthma.1 2 Clinicians are less familiar with horse allergy. Our clinical experience suggests that it is an important problem, even in an urban environment. Despite a lack of obvious exposure to horse dander this allergen may be responsible for a child's asthma. We present three of the 28 cases of horse allergy seen recently in our clinic.
Peak expiratory flow in nine year old boy exposed to horse dander from his sister's riding gear. Lung function deteriorated each weekend apart from one his sister spent away. Once his sister gave up riding, variability in peak flow disappeared, with no dips below 200/min
Case reports
Case 1—Within minutes of riding a pony at a fête, an eight year old boy developed angio-oedema and respiratory distress. On initial assessment in the accident and emergency department, he was tachypnoeic with a saturation of 90% in air. He improved after treatment with oxygen, nebulised salbutamol, intravenous hydrocortisone, and intravenous chlorpheniramine. Skin prick testing produced a 6 mm weal to horse dander and a 3 mm weal to house dust mite (positive histamine control, 3 mm). He was advised to avoid horses, to carry chlorpheniramine in case of accidental exposure, and to use inhaled salbutamol and intramuscular adrenaline in the event of respiratory symptoms.
Case …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.