Reduce the allergens and your symptoms
If you are allergic to your pet and your reactions aren’t life-threatening, there are many ways to reduce indoor allergens and allergy symptoms so you and your pet can live together more comfortably.
If your or a family members allergies are simply miserable, but not life-threatening, take these five steps to reduce the symptoms:
1. Create an “allergy free” zone in your home—preferably the allergic persons bedroom—and strictly prohibit the pets access to it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner, and consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows.
2. Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds.
3. Bathe your pet on a weekly basis to reduce the level of allergy-causing dander (shed old skin cells). Cats can get used to being bathed, but its critical to only use products labeled for them; kittens may need a shampoo safe for kittens. Check with your veterinarians staff or a good book on pet care for directions about safe bathing, Its a good idea to use a shampoo recommended by your veterinarian or other animal care professional.
4. Dont be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander. Many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. Reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy.
5. Try treatments. Additional treatments for allergies to pets are include immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine pills. It is important to find an allergist who understands your commitment to living with your pet. A combination of approaches—medical control of symptoms, good housecleaning methods, and immunotherapy—is most likely to succeed in allowing an allergic person to live with pets.
OTC medications, such as antihistamines and nasal decongestants, can also help a person reduce or manage their allergy symptoms.
An allergist (a specialist in diagnosing allergies) may treat severe or chronic allergy symptoms using immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots.
Specific symptoms and when they occur depend on the severity of the allergy. People who have severe allergic reactions to dogs may experience symptoms soon after exposure, while those with more minor allergies may take longer to develop symptoms.
If a doctor thinks that a person may be allergic to dogs, they will refer them to an allergist.
Antihistamine medications block histamine, a compound that helps initiate local immune responses and cause allergy symptoms. Popular OTC brands for long-term exposure may contain loratadine, cetirizine hydrochloride, or fexofenadine hydrochloride.
Keep canine companions off the couch
Train your dog to stop jumping on the couch, beds, or any upholstered furniture, as these can be rich depositories for dander and therefore may contribute to allergic symptoms. Allergen-resistant bedding and furniture can help reduce dander levels. Keep your dog’s bedding in a dedicated zone or room in the house, well away from the spaces that the allergic family member tends to spend the most time in. Wash your dog’s rugs, beds, cushions, blankets, and washable play items and toys regularly to avoid dander build-up.