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 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.

Is man’s best friend becoming your worst enemy? People who suffer from dog allergies can feel pretty conflicted. On one hand they love their canine friend but on the other they suffer with a variety of symptoms that can make their lives miserable. If you aren’t sure whether you are allergic to dogs or want to figure out strategies for managing your symptoms so that you can keep your Lassie, then this article is for you.

Pets are pretty common in American households 6 out of 10 homes have one. Unfortunately the numbers also show that 1 out of every 10 people suffers from some sort of animal allergy. When it comes to pets cats tend to be the worst culprit in causing allergies but dogs are right behind them. Since dog allergies are a common problem, the good news is that there is a lot of information available on how to treat and manage an allergic reaction to your pet. If your reaction is not severe, and if you do not have other serious complications such as asthma, you should be able to successfully manage your allergic condition so that you can experience many symptom-free days.

How to Identify Your Dog Allergy

The most recommended strategy for identifying dog allergies is to remove the person you suspect is allergic from the environment. This can be done for a week or two to see whether the person experiences any of the symptoms they were complaining about. You might think it would be easier to remove the dog but pet dander can remain in the environment that the animal lives in for up to six months after the pet is removed. If moving the person away for a couple of weeks is too difficult, you can also ask your doctor to perform an allergy test in his office to see if the person indeed has a dog allergy.

What Treatment Options Do You Have?

Dog allergies are usually associated with dander or saliva of the animal. These allergens tend to cling to many surfaces. They also can hang around for a long time. This quality makes it difficult to completely rid a home of the allergens responsible for dog allergies, even if the animal is removed. It generally will take up to six months for the home to become free of allergens once the pet is removed.

The drastic treatment is to give the dog to another good home. This can be a big problem because family members are usually attached to the dog and consider him a part of the family. This option can be the last resort unless you have someone that just can not live with their symptoms. An example of this would be someone with asthma.

If the symptoms are mild there are other options. First, keep your pet out of the bedroom. This is an area where you spend a significant amount of your time, particularly sleeping. Get rid of old carpet that can harbor the allergens. Go for bare floors, in our house we always start out with hardwood floors and use throw rugs that can be washed in hot water. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can also be an effective way to keep allergens at bay in certain areas of your house, Oreck has a great line of air purifiers that can help.

Dog allergies may be a common problem but you can learn to manage them. If all else fails and you do have to get rid of your beloved pet you might be able to replace them with a dog breed that is known to cause less dog allergies.