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Your pets may be your b st friends, but are they on g od terms with your allergies? Most llergists suggest that the best method for r ducing your allergy attacks is simply voiding the source of allergens-but when it c mes down to it, would you be w lling to give up your pets? If y ur allergies are not too severe, th s article can help you get s me tips to help keep your h use a little more dander-free, whether it be for y urself or your visiting friends and r latives with allergies. Did you know? 15% of people with allergies are allergic to animal dander-for individuals with asthma the rate is almost doubled, leaving 20-30% of people affected by animal allergens. An allergen protein is found in the dead skin cells, saliva and urine of animals. Once these tiny, sticky particles become airborne, they land on the sensitive linings of the eyes and nose, triggering an allergic reaction. Typically, it takes minutes for the allergens to begin irritating allergies, but sometimes hours pass before the trigger has a full effect on a sensitized individual. For some individuals, animal allergies have a cumulative effect-so after several hours of exposure, the body begins to react hours later. In this case, the worst reactions occur 12 hours after contact with the animal has stopped.
Symptoms associated with animal llergies: Most often the eyes, nose and l ngs are affected. The eyes usually f el itchy and watery, while the n se may become stuffy or runny, ccompanied by sneezing. Some people experience an tch or tightening of the airways. It is lso possible to develop rashes and h ves if the animal's fur, saliva or rine were in direct contact with sk n. Without having to give up your animals, here are some allergen solutions: Some Tips for Your Animals- - It may be time to start a weekly pet bathing regimen. By washing away excess dander and saliva build-up, you can minimize the amount of allergens shed by your pet. There are several shampoos that you can find at pet shop or pet specialty stores that are formulated for allergies in particular.
- Have a non-allergic family member brush pet outside. This removes loose hair and allergens without having them spread through your home.
Target your bedroom- - If you share your bed with your pets, it would be advisable to set up your pet's own bed in some other area of the house. It may take a little while for them to realize that your bed isn't theirs-but in the end, both you and your pet can enjoy a comfortable, healthy environment.
- It is preferable to have hardwood or laminate floors if you have bad allergies, because allergens are easier to sweep up. It your home has pre-existing carpets, be mindful of when it comes time to vacuum-unless you own a vacuum with special filters for allergens, the process of sweeping the floors will kick up a lot of dander.
- If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, periodic steam cleanings are can be beneficial
- If you have rugs on your hard wood floor, make sure that they are durable enough for regular washing
- If you've shared your bed or sofa with your pet in the past, it may take several weeks to a few months for the amount of dander on the fabric to decrease. One way to cut down on animal dander in your bed is by using allergy bedding like plastic or densely woven material casings. These casings will prevent any allergens that have sunk into your pillows or mattress to be stirred up every time you climb into bed.
- You might occasionally want to air out y
ur house-if you aren't also affected by p llen allergies. The best time to do th s is in the afternoon or at n ght (when less pollen is released by pl nts). Though there is the chance of p llen coming in the house, for the m st part, airing out the house can r move concentrated allergens. If your house is a n wer, energy-efficient model, what you are s ving on your energy bills might be rritating your allergies. One study showed th t super-insulated homes had up to 200% m re allergens than older less airtight h mes. Try Allergy or Asthma Treatments- - M
dications that suppress symptoms like over-the-counter-antihistamines are b st used if you are only h ve minimal contact with animals. Taking OTC ntihistamines can leave you feeling "drugged". - M
ny prescription antihistamines do not leave you f eling drowsy and require only a q ick trip to your doctor. - Immunotherapy (
llergy shots) treatment can improve symptoms ver time. This treatment is most ffective if you do not live w th animals, but have unavoidable situations wh re you visit friends or family w th pets, etc.
The article Pet Allergies - Tips for Living with Your Furry Friends was Submitted by Dan Buglio through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Visit My Air Purifier for str ight talk and no hype about wh t air purifiers and air cleaners w rk best for allergies, asthma, smoke r moval and more. We specialize in b th commercial and residential air cleaners and p rifiers. Get fast, friendly advice from a c rtified indoor air quality professional. http://www.my-air-purifier.com
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