Dealing with Pet Allergies: How to Manage Symptoms and Create a Comfortable Environment

Being so common, pet allergies often become a primary concern of individuals, who either have a pet or any contact to pets in social life. Some people develop allergic reactions when in the company of pets, sneezing, runny noses, itchy cheeks. In worse situations, allergies result in an asthma condition where a person may not be able to bond with pets. Nevertheless, by employing appropriate strategies, pet allergies can be kept away with cross-contamination basically kept low to an acceptable level as both the pets, as well as their owners, enjoy a safe and fun-filled environment.

This paper will outline the cause of allergies in pets, give helpful hints on how to deal with them, and how to go about making your home friendly to both you and your pet. We will also draw on the opinions of pet experts and other trusted pet care site to help you in this process.   At pet fresh supplies you can get to know more about your pets and their care.

What Causes Pet Allergies?

In general, pet allergies owe their occurrence to a protein within the skin cells, urine, and saliva of the pet. These proteins are distributed in the home everytime your pet sheds fur, licks itself or uses the bathroom. When such proteins are contacted by an allergic person, the immune system erroneously sees them as an invading alien and reacts to them thus an allergic reaction occurs. Symptoms such as the following may be a result of this reaction:

• Sneezing
• Clogged or a runny nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Hives or skin rash
• Asthma like symptoms (in those people with more severe allergies)

Cats and dogs are the usual causes of pet allergens; however, even smaller pets like the rabbit or guinea pig can be allergens too.

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How to Manage Pet Allergy Symptoms

Treatment of pet allergies is a combination of medical, environmental and lifestyle modification. There are several easy to follow advisory steps that you can take, in order to cut down the effects of allergies; even without having to give up your pet friend.

1. Keep Your Home Clean

Having a clean environment also is one of the best methods that can keep the allergens minimal. Daily cleaning is a good solution to eradicate allergens such as pet dander, fur, among others that might cause allergies.

Vacuum Often: Vacuuming is a cardinal rule, all floors, carpets, and furniture should be vacuumed at least 2 or 3 times a week using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. Hepa filters are created to impound minute particles including pet dander.

Wash Pet Beddings: Often wash the beddings, toys and other accessories of the pet to remove the build up of the dander.The utilization of hot water is proposed as one of the ways of ensuring there is no allergens left behind.

Wash regularly: Surfaces such as the baseboards, shelves, counter-top etc and other dusty areas should be washed to reduce the levels of pet dander and air particle allergens. You can also employ microfiber cloths since they are capable of sensing the presence of dust particles more easily than the regular duster.

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2. Create Allergen-Free Zones

Mark off some locations of your house as pet-free zones in order to give yourself a zone that is free of allergens so that you can retreat whenever you feel so. These spaces will be able to contain the following;

Your Sleeping Room: Your sleeping room must be an allergen free zone so you have a restful nights sleep. Place your pet outside the bedroom and clean your sheets on the regular basis.

The Living Room: If possible, designate the living room to be pet friendly but keep it free of pet hair by covering furniture with washable and coverable furniture.

Air Purifiers: Buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter that is of good quality which you will use in the rooms where you spend most of your time. They can aid in eliminating allergens in the air to reduce the total load of allergens in mansions. 

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3. Regular Grooming and Pet Care

Maintaining a clean and groomed pet will also help ensure they produce minimum dander and help keep allergens to a minimum in your home. Pet care experts tend to prescribe the following methods of Pet Grooming  

Frequent baths: Your pet should be bathed at least once a month to help wash away dander built up in the coat. Use pet-safe, hypoallergenic shampoos so as to not irritate your pet skin.

Frequent Grooming: Grooming your pet and regularly brushing his coat, (at least 1 time in a week), can help get rid of the loose dander and hair that your pet may have. With long-haired pets, you may have to brush more frequently.

Nasal Rinses: Nasal laden homeowners with allergies have found this kind of nasal cleansing to be useful in lessening allergic manifestations as you fall on salty water or salt water to clean the nasal cavity.

According to veterinarians of a credible source, such as The American Kennel Club (AKC) and PetMD, grooming your pet ensures his/her overall well-being, as it also limits allergens in the house.

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4. Consider Medication or Allergy Shots

Individuals that have severe allergy attacks may be assisted with medical care in addition to home self-addressed measures. Talk to your physician or allergist to diagnose you and discuss some of the possible treatments, which may include:

 Antihistamines: Antihistamines provide beneficial effects in curbing the reacts of histamines, which trigger the allergic effect, the sneezing, runny nose, and itdimensional eyes.

Nasal Sprays: Nasal corticosteroids sprays can reduce the inflammation to the nasal mucosae and provide relief to blockage.

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots): Allergy shots involve a slow process of acclimatizing your immune system to allergens so that you may be relieved of allergies over the long term. This therapy normally requires a few months before it gets to work but it can provide substantial relief.

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5. Chooxse Allergy-Friendly Pet Breeds

None of the breeds of dog are known as being completely hypoallergenic, but some pose less in the way of allergens than others do. The following are four pets that you should think about acquiring, in case you have an allergy problem:

Poodles (Standard, Miniature, and Toy): Poodles shed indifferently and have hair instead of fur because of which the dander and hair build-up are minimal.

Bichon Frise: This bathroom sized dog has curly hair that does not shed much, making the Bichon Fries supposedly allergen free.

Schnauzers: They are a dog breed that sheds little dander as they have a wiry coat.

As always, consult your veterinarian or allergist before adding a new pet to your home since your response may differ with that of your doctor. 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Allergies

1. Can pet allergies go away over time?

Allergies do not disappear and other individuals might be exposed to fewer allergy symptoms, because the subject will grow accustomed to a certain pet. However, one can encounter antibiotic and cleaning control.

2. Are there any pets that are better for people with allergies?

Though no pet can be classified as hypoallergenic, some pets like the Poodle, Bichon Frises, and Schnauzers cause less allergic reaction and may be more manageable with. Individualised responses can be made

3. How can I reduce allergens without getting rid of my pet?

Some of the ways in which you can reduce allergens include ensuring that your house is clean, which means that you have a completely pet-free area, make use of air filters and ensure that you actively groom your pet. It is also treatable through administration of antihistamines and administering other anti allergies medication.

4. Can I still have a pet if I have asthma and allergies?

What cannot be refuted is that, many allergic / asthmatic people can freely keep their pets, provided the allergies in the home environment are controlled well, medication and even pet grooming. Brief your physician to come up with an effective plan.

5. Is it safe to bathe my pet frequently if I have allergies?

Routine bathing of your pet can also aid in the disposal of dander accumulation which will suit individuals with allergies. Still, make sure that you use only the soft and hypoallergenic shampoo that cannot irritate your pet.

Conclusion

To be allergic to fur, this does not mean that the allergy victim can not own a furry petHaving proper care, cleanliness and doctors to help you, it is possible to diminish allergic symptoms, and to provide proper living conditions to yourself and the pet. Be certain to consult your doctor, allergist, and reputable pet care sites such as PetMD and The American Kennel Club about the most effective steps you can take to control your allergies.