Are Equestrians More Allergic to Horses Than Other People?
Equine Science Update by: Mark Andrews
Researchers in Iran have found that horse riders are more likely to be sensitized to horses than are people who do not ride. Horse allergy is mainly characterized by rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma and urticaria; however, anaphylaxis (allergic shock) has been reported in some cases.
The study, led by Mozhgan Moghtaderi of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, examined 42 horse riders (30 males, 12 females) and 50 healthy individuals (27 men, 23 women) who had not worked with horses. The researchers used skin prick tests with a panel of horse and common animal allergens (including epithelial allergens of various animal species, bird feather allergens and allergen extracts of two species of mites).
The results of the skin prick test showed that 31% of the horse riders were sensitized to horse allergens, whereas none of the control group reacted. Nearly half (19/42) of the riders reported some allergic symptoms, including allergic rhinitis in 15 (35.7%), conjunctivitis in 9 (21.4%), asthma in 6 (14.3%), and skin allergy in 5 (11.9%). Two horse riders with no history of clinical symptoms showed positive skin reactions to horse allergens.
Dr. Moghateri advises that to decrease the high risk of occupational sensitization among horse riders, workplace conditions should be improved to reduce the load of airborne horse allergens.
For more details, see:
Increased Risk of Horse Sensitization in Southwestern Iranian Horse Riders.
Moghtaderi M, Farjadian S, Hosseini, Z, Raayat, A.
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2015;28(5):909-13.
