"The cohabitation of animals and humans is not acceptable. Even with regular veterinary supervision of pets, the fur of any animal is a significant cause of allergies".
Infectious disease specialist Adil Geybulla stated these words in a statement to Modern.az.
He noted that contact with animals often results in allergies:
"Allergies can cause serious problems, especially for the respiratory system. One of the most common complications is bronchial asthma. Animal fur, skin dander, and other allergens cause the narrowing of the bronchi. As a result, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and increased coughing at night and in the morning are observed. During an asthma attack, a feeling of suffocation occurs; the person cannot breathe deeply and feels a lack of air. This condition can be accompanied by panic and increased heart rate. Long-term allergic exposure can lead to chronic inflammation in the respiratory tract. Bronchial walls thicken, respiratory passages become more sensitive, and susceptibility to infections increases. In children with a genetic predisposition, asthma can develop at an early age, and the allergic process can progress in stages – starting with skin problems, then rhinitis, and subsequently asthma".
The infectious disease specialist noted that contact with animals can cause skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema - characterized by redness, dryness, severe itching, and rashes on the skin. It can be chronic and periodically acute), contact dermatitis (after direct contact with an animal, redness, burning sensation, small blisters, and itching are observed on the skin. It usually appears in the area of contact), urticaria (suddenly appearing, itchy, swollen, and raised rashes on the skin. Sometimes they disappear within a few hours but can recur), and allergic rashes (which can manifest as small red spots and itching on the skin, especially in sensitive individuals):
"There is a risk of contracting diseases not only from non-farm animals like dogs or cats but also from profitable species such as cattle, horses, etc. Diseases like brucellosis and foot-and-mouth disease are transmitted from animals kept on farms".
Adil Geybulla stated that many people believe they are only doing good by feeding stray animals:
“They do not know that by bringing stray animals closer to residential areas and daily life, they spread diseases. Generally, the concept of stray animals does not exist in many countries.”
