Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Cat allergies are not that bad for those without many cat owners in their lives.  Those people can avoid the dander that causes their allergic reactions.  Sadly some cat allergy sufferers are also cat owners and lovers.  Cat allergies don’t always manifest themselves right away so a recent cat owner may not know they are allergic to cats until they have fallen in love with theirs.

The culprit is the cat dander that builds up around the house or apartment over time.  Dander as defined by the dictionary is:  Small scales from animal skin or hair or even bird feathers that can cause an allergic reaction is some people.  The allergic reactions to the dander can cause itchy skin, red eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing and trouble even breathing.  Would these cat allergy symptoms be enough to want to give the cat away?  Some people may have become too attached so they want to explore if they can manage their symptoms enough so that they don’t have to give away their beloved cat.

The best way to decrease your cat allergy symptoms is to control the levels of dander in your environment.  This includes both cleaning parts of your home regularly as well as keeping your cat out of certain areas of your house.  Some people go all out and only keep their cat in one room while others just keep them out of their bedroom and bed.  Letting your cat sleep in your bed when you have cat allergies will undoubtedly make for many miserable nights sleep.  Showering before you go to sleep is also advised since you will clean off the dander before slipping into clean pajamas.

It is always recommended to wash your hands after touching any pet. It is even more important if you have allergies. Your day can be changed for the worst by simply touching your cat and then your face.  Some advise using a micro fiber cloth to stroke your cat. This will eliminate more dander than a bath, and it is easier.

A regular cleaning routine should include changing your bedding weekly, washing your curtains monthly and even vacuuming daily whenever possible.  Your vacuum should be one that has HEPA filters that are best for allergy sufferers.

Drastic measures like “quarantining” your cat may be necessary if you try all the above and still find that you are extremely uncomfortable because of your cat allergies.  Keeping yourself healthy is the most important thing, but you can try hanging on to your cat by managing the levels of dander you get exposed to.  Totally avoiding dander when you have a cat is impossible but managing the levels isn’t.

Consulting with your doctor about your cat allergy is also advised.  They may prescribe an allergy medicine to get you to the point that you can keep your cat.  If you find you can’t keep that particular cat you may want to investigate cat breeds that are better for allergy sufferers.  You would be surprised what a difference that could make and it could help you find the right balance between your cat allergies and your love of cats.

Pet allergies can make humans miserable but did you realize that the very dogs and cats we love can be suffering from allergies too.  Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergy to the saliva of fleas that affects both cats and dogs.  Of course not all cats and dogs are allergic to fleas since flea infestations can be common especially in more humid settings.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from flea allergy dermatitis here is some information to help you manage it and help you to avoid it in the future.

Though dogs also are victims of FAD in this article we will focus on cats since it appears a more common allergy for them.  Fleas in and of themselves are a nuisance and uncomfortable but when a cat develops flea allergy dermatitis it can get to the point where the poor cat is practically scratching its skin raw and making itself almost bald.

A cat is well known for its grooming and self cleaning routine.  This sometimes impedes your ability to confirm that he indeed has fleas since the cat can wipe away the signs.  Also of note is that one flea bite may be enough to trigger a full blown case of flea allergy dermatitis.  This disease can spread well beyond the site of the flea bite.

Signs of flea allergy dermatitis in your cat include aggressive scratching and chewing of it tail and legs.  At a certain point ulcers can be visible on the cat’s skin.  Patches covered in rash may also be seen.  All of these things will be looked for when you take your cat to the vet.

Though the discomfort of your cat is an obvious concern the more important problem will be infections that can develop from all of the scratching and chewing.  Fungal infections may also arise from a case of flea allergy dermatitis.  The vet usually treats those infections with antibiotics.  Steroidal medicines may also be prescribed to stop the flea biting and scratching cycle that is torturing your pet.

The vet will definitely give you the tools to manage your pets case of flea allergy dermatitis but it really is up to you to make sure you avoid another case once this one is gone.  Flea powder is the obvious but controlling your pet’s exposure to fleas is key avoiding flea allergy dermatitis.  The Frontline brand of flea and tick control products used regularly are also recommended online.  These products are supposed to kill the fleas before they even have a chance to bite your pet.

Dog allergies can change the wonderful bond shared over the centuries.  Dogs may be man’s best friend but dog allergies are man’s worst enemy.  Dog allergy symptoms can be miserable if they are severe.  Mild symptoms can include watery eyes, itchy skin and even a dry mouth.  The more severe symptoms can include hives, difficulty breathing due to congestions and even asthma attacks.

You may not even know you have dog allergies until after you get a dog and even then the allergic reactions may not start until weeks or even months after you have been living with a dog.  If you know you suffer from allergies in general odds are you may end up being allergic to dogs.  Dog allergies can also run in families so that may be a clue too.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you can never own a dog but you will have to do more homework before you buy one.

Certain dog breeds are better for those allergic to pet dander.  Dander is basically the particles of skin that are shed by pets like dogs and cats.  There are some dogs that shed their skin more slowly than others, they include poodles and schnauzers.  Because of the rise in dog allergies there actually has been a lot of research and cross-breeding to develop dogs that cause less dog allergies.  Those of note to avoid are cocker spaniels and basset hounds that are said to shed their skin faster which leaves more dander all over.

Indoor dogs of course will cause more problems for dog allergy sufferers but if you don’t want an outdoor dog you can try to manage the amount of dander you get exposed to.  You can do this by cleaning your house regularly.  Particularly areas like the bedding in your bedroom, the carpets and even curtains.  An air purifier with a HEPA filter may also help as it removes particles in the air including dander.

Contrary to popular belief you should not wash your dog frequently.  This actually cause more dander as the skin is dried out and then sheds more.  Dog allergy sufferers should be washing their dogs monthly.  Feeding your dog quality dog food can also reduce dander particles because it keeps their coat shiny and healthy.

Depending on the severity of your dog allergies you may be able to manage them with allergy medicines.  Consulting with a doctor to confirm your suspicions and to get advice on whether over the counter medicines will do the trick is highly advised if you want to keep your pet.

If you decide that you have to give away your dog you need to know that you may continue to suffer from your allergies for months.  You need to thoroughly clean and vacuum your house and if you have carpets odds are you need to have them shampooed.  Sadly you will have to get rid of their toys as well.

Being allergic to dogs can by a nuisance but for some it can be more than that.  Whether you get exposed to dogs of your own or through your family and friends getting the help you need can help you manage man’s worst enemy – dog allergies.

Pet allergies can be pretty tough on you but they are even harder when you are actually an animal lover. I’ve mentioned my sister and her cat Topaz before. He recently passed on and even though she is allergic to cats she went out and bought 2 new cats. Pet allergies can be managed which is why she has chosen love over convenience.

Animal lovers worldwide shudder to think of themselves being unable to care for and play with their favorite pets, yet this happens to many people each year. Pet allergies cause many would-be pet owners to turn away from buying that cherished pet because of fear of the uncomfortable allergic reactions they have to pets. While some people are extremely allergic to pets of any kind, most people are only allergic to one variety of pets, and that is most commonly the cat. Still, pet allergies can be debilitating if one hasn’t figured out the cause. They may compound the problem by continuing to keep their animals indoors. There is help for those who want to have pets and who deal with allergies too. Steps can be taken to reduce the allergy symptoms associated with your pet.

Pet Allergies and Reduced Exposure

The first helpful tip for those who have pet allergies but want to own a pet or keep the ones they have is to possibly move the animal from the indoors to the outdoors. Many people have been able to continue owning pets while being allergic to them because they simply don’t keep them in the house where all the dander can build up and cause problems. It is definitely easier to have a dog outdoors than a cat. Carpets are a place where much of the allergens like to hide, so cleaning these carpets is also required in order to reduce one’s exposure to them. Pet allergies can often be helped by keeping the animal confined to one or two rooms of one’s home. Though this can be challenging it can be done with the entire family’s help.

Pet grooming has taken off. It is interesting to see shops popping up everywhere. There no doubt must be an association between a clean pet and less allergies. People are more aware now that having a pet groomed or grooming one’s own pet is another way to reduce exposure to the harmful allergens that can cause reactions. Shampooing and brushing can also be helpful when dealing with these annoying pet allergies. Washing rugs, curtains, and other decorations that can collect dander and fur is important as well in order to keep the allergen from accumulating in the home.

An interesting approach to take for finding out if you have pet allergies is to take care of a friend’s pet for a period of time in your own home. This will confirm what type of allergy symptoms you may experience and also see what it really takes to take care of a pet day in and day out. If you are an animal lover don’t despair. With the proper research and strategies you can find the right pet for you.

If you are a glass is half full person you may think that a yeast allergy is the greatest thing since sliced bread, please forgive the pun. If you are not that type of person you might not be happy with your food choices. It might not matter that the low carb diet brought about by a yeast allergy can lead to a smaller waistline.

Most people love their bread, though it’s not always good for their waist lines. Carbs are everywhere and they are particularly tempting for those on a low carb diet. You never realize how many carbs you eat until you are forced to eliminate them from your diet. What would happen if you couldn’t eat bread because of an allergy? That’s right, there are people with a yeast allergy, who can’t eat or drink anything with yeast as an ingredient. You may not realize it, but many things are made out of yeast. And, depending on the severity of your yeast allergy, you may not be able to enjoy bread, beer or any other yeast oriented products ever again.

Yeast can be broken down into 2 categories, baking yeast and brewers yeast. Baking yeast is used to aid in the cooking of baked goods like bread, cookies and cakes. Brewers yeast is used in the making of beer but is also known to be used in supplements. An allergy to brewers yeast would be very tough for a beer lover.

A yeast allergy for carb lovers can be devastating. As with many allergies some people go through life feeling the discomfort of allergies but not knowing that they have them. They don’t realize that they are causing themselves the discomfort by not identifying their yeast allergies. If your allergist tests you and confirms your yeast allergy you will then have to deal with the reality of having to manage your allergy in a world full of foods that contain yeast.

If your allergy isn’t that severe, you may be able to get by eating only certain foods with very little yeast in them. There are also some supplements and medicines that you can take to alleviate the symptoms of yeast allergy or at least lessen them. With these you may be able to enjoy your favorite foods without fear of a yeast allergy attack. Symptoms of a yeast allergy can include:

• fatigue
• constipation
• diarrhea
• depression
• dizziness
• muscle and joint pain

These are just a few of the symptoms that have been associated with a yeast allergy. If your allergy is severe it is highly likely that will have to give up yeast products altogether.

So your best bet is to look at the bright side. Yeast allergies can force you to change your diet for the good. A low carb diet has already been shown to help you shed unwanted pounds. Make sure to check with both your allergist and dietician about your allergy. They can provide you with the balanced plan to not only eat right but avoid those yeast allergy attacks that could have been plaguing you for years.

Many people seemed to think that dogs are immune from many of our ailments but they are not. Dogs get skin allergies just like some of us do. Dog skin allergies can make your dog’s life miserable. Most dog owners think of their pet as a member of their family so you want to make sure that you help them feel better if you can. They can’t talk so it is up to you to notice their symptoms.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies?

If your pet is consistently scratching or sneezing whenever they come in from outside, or if you notice a rash on their skin, your pet may have dog skin allergies. Dog skin allergies can cause your pet to break out in rashes. In many cases they can even lose their fur in certain areas of their body. Depending on the severity of the dog skin allergy, you should take your pet into the vet at the first sign of an allergic reaction to determine what is causing your dog’s skin allergy.

The Vet is Your Best Bet

A variety of things can be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. Only a visit to your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions. If this is the case, your vet can test your pet to see what he or she is allergic to and what is causing their dog skin allergic reactions. If it’s something that’s in your yard, such as a certain plant or flower, you should get rid of it immediately. Similarly, if it’s something in your house that is causing your dog’s skin allergy, you should remove that, as well. Your vet may also be able to prescribe some kind of medication, either topical or ingested, that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they are experiencing.

Dog is man’s best friend and, for that reason, you want to make sure your pet is in top physical condition. If they are constantly suffering and you make no effort to find out why, you aren’t showing your pet the love they deserve. Make an appointment with the vet to see what is causing this discomfort. If your vet determines that your dog has dog skin allergies, ask what can be done about it. If something needs to be removed from your house or yard, then remove it, your pet is well worth it.

Your Dog Can Have a Normal Life

Dog skin allergies can affect the quality of your dog’s life. It is up to you to pay attention to them and examine them when they are showing symptoms of dog skin allergies. Your veterinarian will give you the strategies and treatment options to help you manage the dog skin allergies. It is up to you to make sure you do everything to make sure the canine member of the family is feeling as well as he can.