Pet Allergies: Keeping Your Pet
If you've recently become a new pet parent only to discover that --
surprise! -- you or someone in your household has pet allergies, you're
not the first to find yourself in this "sneezy situation." According to
the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), about 9 to 12
million people in the U.S. alone have dog or cat allergies, which can
develop at any point in life, regardless of whether you showed symptoms
of having them as a kid. For those who fall into this category, many
experts advise giving up on pet ownership entirely and finding your
four-legged friend a new home.
It's a practical approach, but for animal lovers, it's often one
that's easier said than done. In 2006, the New York Times reported that
at least 1 in every 10 pet owners is allergic to his furry friends,
which suggests that it's possible to overcome pet allergies to some
extent -- if your symptoms are mild enough, and you take the right
steps. Here are just a few best practices you can follow to help you and
your pet happily coexist.
Take Back the House
One of the first steps toward breathing easier is designating certain
areas to be officially off-limits to your pet. This strategy will give
you something of a refuge from pet dander -- those tiny allergens
animals shed, which are the root cause of pet allergies. At the very
least, try to keep all pets out of your bedroom, so you can get a good
night's sleep that's sneeze-free. Also, if you have an enclosed outdoor
space, use it to your advantage as often as possible by making it your
pet's main domain -- provided the weather is cooperating, of course.
Keeping all areas of the house tidy on a daily basis is also a must
if you're trying to keep pet dander under control. Pet dander can stick
to just about anything, from drapes to carpets and furniture -- even
your clothes -- so you should vacuum, dust, mop and do laundry as often
as you can, and be thorough while you're at it. Remember than it's
better to dust with a damp cloth rather than a dry one, since dry
dusting can kick dander back up into the air, and consider getting a
vacuum that's equipped with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air)
filter. Many people have found these filters to be effective in catching
dander particles (and hanging onto them) as they clean. There are also
more comprehensive HEPA filters that you can add to your home's heating
and cooling system to help clean the air; these may require more of an
investment, but they could help you breathe a little easier, too.
Go Right to the Source
Allergens that trigger pet allergy symptoms originate in pets' saliva
or other secretions and usually end up on their skin and hair or fur,
so regularly grooming animals should help minimize the amount of dander
that's shed and dispersed throughout your home. There are several tools
on the market that can help you do this job well -- including
dander-fighting shampoos and combs designed for deshedding. If you can,
however, assign the brushing and bathing duties to someone in the
household who's not allergic; or, if you must take on the task yourself,
consider wearing a surgical mask while doing so for extra protection.
To attack pet allergy symptoms head on, there are a number of
treatment options currently available, including prescription and
over-the-counter oral medications -- such as antihistamines and
decongestant pills -- immunotherapy shots, or corticosteroids
administered via nasal sprays. Set up an appointment with your primary
care doctor or an allergist to get a recommendation about the best
course of action for your particular level of allergy.
While there's no magic potion that can make pet allergies disappear
completely, for those who are managing symptoms on the milder end of the
spectrum, taking some of the steps covered here can go a long way to
make pet ownership a more enjoyable -- and less stuffy -- experience.
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