Pet Allergies
Allergies to pets are a common occurrence. About 15% of people experience pet allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, many of us realize that we are allergic to pets through exposure. We make the commitment to own a pet, fall in love and then realize after the fact that we have a pet allergy. While this is an all too common and tragic tale, there is a way to diminish your pet allergy symptoms and still own and love your pet. Developing a cat allergy or dog allergy does not mean that you have to give your pet up. It does mean that you have to be extremely careful with your in-home practices. You need to set boundaries and take precautions so that you and your pet can enjoy each other.
Pet Allergy Causes
Obviously, when you suffer from a pet allergy, the main cause is your pet. Where most people get confused is in determining what part of their pet is the source of the problem. A common misconception is that pet allergies are allergic reactions to an animal's fur. This is not true. Pet allergies are triggered by pet dander.
Pet dander is different from fur or hair. Dander is the microscopic flakes shed from an animal's skin. Pet dander is tiny and clingy. It is easily transported around your house by a slight wind or breeze. Once dander is up in the air, it can stick to your clothing, your furniture, your drapes and your carpets. Dander settles in and once it is there, it is extremely difficult to get out. Your pet's saliva and even your pet's urine can cause an allergic reaction as well.
Pet Allergy Symptoms
Pet allergy symptoms are easy to spot. They typically occur within minutes of exposure to a pet. Some common symptoms that you may experience are:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Itchy nose, throat or roof of mouth
Many of these symptoms are symptoms of hay fever. It should also be noted that if you are suffering from asthma, a pet allergy can exacerbate your asthmatic symptoms which include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and lung congestion. If you are allergic and you have direct contact with the pet, you may also experience a rash breakout and itchiness of your skin.
Be advised that no one is ever born with a pet allergy. This is also a common misconception. You develop pet allergies from exposure to the animal. It has been suggested that pet allergies may be hereditary in the sense that you are more likely to develop a pet allergy if pet allergies run in your family.
Testing
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have developed a pet allergy, there is a test available that can determine what your allergy is and its severity. This procedure is simple and painless. Doctors prick or scratch the surface of your skin and then inject tiny drops of a variety of allergen extracts into the openings. Your healthcare professional will clean the sight of the test (which is usually the forearm) and then scratch these allergens into your skin with a medical instrument called a lancet. These drops of allergen extract are left alone for approximately 15 minutes. After enough time has elapsed for your body to have an allergic reaction, the healthcare professional will come back and observe the test site. If you are allergic to one of the extracts, an itchy, red bump will appear where that allergen was injected.
Living with a Pet Allergy
So, what do you do if you are allergic to your pet? There are several allergy relief solutions for you and your pet to live comfortably.
- Bathe and groom your pet frequently. This will help to minimize the amount of pet dander that your pet sheds throughout the house.
- Make the bedroom off limits. We all enjoy cuddling with our pets. Just don't do it in your bed. You spend a lot of time in your bed every night and if there is pet dander present, you are being exposed to an allergen for a long period of time. This can really exacerbate your symptoms. Also, if you have a relatively dander free bedroom, you have a place that you can retreat to in the event that your symptoms are really acting up.
- Remove pet dander trapping furnishings and carpets from your home. Get rid of your carpeting and put in hard surface flooring. Pet dander can get stuck in carpet and it is hard to get out. Hard surface floors are easier to keep clean. Also, throw out rugs. Rugs trap pet dander just as easily as carpet. You should get rid of them where you can (especially in your bedroom) and where you can't, you should have them cleaned regularly.
- Wash your bedding often in hot water. Even though you have tried to create a dander free zone in your room, pet dander is easily transported by the air. It can also stick to you and your clothing. Make sure that you wash your bedding in hot water to get rid of all the pet dander that you might be unknowingly carrying into your room.
- Wash your hands immediately after you play with your pet.
- Clean and vacuum your house often for pet dander and pet odor removal. Make sure that the areas where your pet is welcome are cleaned frequently. Have a friend help you clean the areas where your pet frequents so as to prevent an allergic reaction during cleaning.
Finally, many doctors and allergists recommend getting a HEPA filter like the IQAir HealthPro Plus. This air purifier is designed specifically for the elimination of pet allergens and pet odor removal. This amazingly easy to use HealthPro Plus addresses the complete spectrum of air cleaning leaving your home environment virtually allergen free. Every minute over 250 cubic feet of air passes through the combined medical grade HEPA filter and specially blended activated carbon, resulting in the purest air possible. Because of this advanced filtration, 99.97% of airborne allergens, including pet dander, dust particles, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and offensive pet odor removal is eliminated faster and more efficiently than any other air cleaner on the market. This incredible air purifier covers areas up to 1000 square feet, making it the ideal addition to any large room in your home. The IQAir HealthPro Plus will deliver reliable allergy relief to pet owners looking to improve their quality of air and thus, their quality of life. Remove pet dander and noxious pet odor from your home and from your life without having to give up your beloved pet. Relief from your pet allergies guarantees important health benefits such as better sleep and more energy throughout the day. You will be energized and refreshed while you are spending quality time with your pet. The HealthPro Plus ships complete with filters, within 1 business day. There is no shipping or sales tax with your purchase and the five-year warranty takes all the guess work out of it. Make a decision today that could improve your health and happiness forever!