Recognizing if you have an allergy to pigs involves understanding the specific manifestations of this allergy, as well as considering common allergens associated with pigs. Here is a step by step guide to ensure you correctly identify your symptoms.

Recognize Allergic Reactions to Animals

• Sneezing or Coughing: Frequent bouts of sneezing or coughing upon exposure to pigs might indicate an allergy.
• Itchy or Runny Eyes and Nose: These symptoms are common reactions to allergens from animals like pigs.
• Shortness of Breath or Wheezing: Difficulty in breathing or unexplained wheezing when around pigs can indicate a pig allergy.

Understand Specific Allergens Related to Pigs

• Pig Epithelium: Similar to cat allergies, allergies to pig epithelium (pig skin cells) are common. Contact with pigs or even being in an environment where pigs are present can lead to reactions.
• Pig Saliva: Some individuals might be allergic to pig saliva. Direct contact with pigs can therefore result in an allergic reaction.

Undergo Allergy Testing

If you exhibit these symptoms around pigs, it's important to confirm your suspicions with an allergy test. This most commonly involves a skin prick test using a small amount of allergen, in this case, proteins associated with pigs. Confer with your healthcare provider to arrange this.

Note that allergies to pigs are specific and are not indicative of allergies to other animals. Therefore, do not assume that an allergy to pigs will mean you are allergic to other animals, or vice versa.