Kara Zorn on December 1, 2014 0 Comments No one wants to give up a beloved pet because of allergies; however, after reading this article, you may not have to. Runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing, not to mention coughing, itchy eyes, and wheezing. While these are NOT a few of our favorite things, our pets are. And that’s exactly why “just giving them up” because of pet allergies is not an option when it comes to our furry family members. Luckily, you have several other options for fighting allergies that don’t require looking for a new home for your four-legged friend. Here are six ways that you can combat the symptoms of your pet-related allergies. 1. Get a HEPA Air Purifier Formally known as high-efficiency particulate air filters, HEPA air purifiers remove 99.97 percent of particles from the air that passes through them. In order to qualify as a true HEPA air purifier, the unit must be able to trap particles that are 0.3 microns in size. This is easily the best way to purify your indoor air of pet dander that your furry family members shed. Most HEPA air purifiers are portable, allowing you to move them from room to room. They can some come in cute shapes, like penguins or sharks for kids’ rooms, or be square and compact making them ideal space-saving units for small office spaces. 2. Wash Everything Frequently Washing yourself, your clothes, and your linens is another common tactic when combating pet allergens. If you want to get technical, it’s not the fur, hair, or dander that you’re allergic to, it’s the protein in the dander. And because the protein is so small, it can be found on pretty much everything in the environment in which your pet lives, including floating in the air. By washing your hands, clothes, linens, bedding and curtains frequently, you’ll reduce the overall amount of allergens in your environment. In addition to frequent washing, consider using slipcovers on furniture and beds, as these can also help reduce the amount of allergens that collect in these areas. 3. Clean Your House Regularly An extension of the previous tip, cleaning everything in your home on a regular basis will go a long way in cutting down the accumulation of pet dander and other potential allergens. It’s also wise to cut down on the amount of clutter in your home. By doing so, you limit the places for dander and other allergens to accummulate. Vacuuming frequently with a HEPA filtration model, can help remove dust, pollen, allergens, and other small particles from the air rather than spreading them around like other vacuums can. In addition, consider shampooing your carpets, steam cleaning your floors, wash all rugs, wipe down walls, and dust book shelves often. It also helps to change the filters in your air conditioning units, air purifiers and furnaces regularly. 4. Create a Pet-Free Zone While sleeping with your pet can feel cozy and safe, it can make your nights quite miserable. Instead, make your bedroom a pet-free area to create a low-allergen sanctuary. You can also enhance the room’s allergen-fighting properties by choosing a hypoallergenic bedding that’s designed to block allergens and/or hold up to being washed frequently. For example, a mattress cover with a pore size of 2.8 microns can block out pet dander and protect your mattress. You can also protect your comforter by using a washable duvet cover and decrease your allergen count by replacing curtains with blinds. 5. Choose Your Pets Based on Your Allergies Although more people are allergic to cats than any other household pets, all warm-blooded animals can cause flare-ups. Dogs, birds, gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs can all be triggers; despite what you may have heard about hairless dogs and cats being allergen-free, that’s not entirely true. Remember, the proteins in the old skin cells, saliva, and urine are what cause the allergies, not the hair or fur. One way to test your child’s allergies is to let them play with a certain breed for around an hour several times for a month. Be sure to have antihistamines or other doctor-recommended medications on hand in case your child has a strong reaction. If you find out you can’t bring home anything warm-blooded without someone in your family being miserable with allergies, you may need to go the other route with a cold-blooded friend. Turtles, lizards, iguanas, and fish can all be great pets to teach your children responsibility and give them a new friend. 6. Make an Appointment with Your Doctor If you’ve tried the above tips and you’re constantly experiencing the common symptoms of allergies, the first thing you should do is talk to your doctor. Whether or not they refer you to an allergy specialist, at a minimum, your doctor should be able to tell you three things: Help identify which allergen is triggering your symptoms. If you and your doctor can identify what exactly is aggravating your allergies, then you will have a better chance at minimizing the symptoms you experience. Advise you on over-the-counter and/or prescription medications such as antihistamines, which may help alleviate symptoms like itchy eyes and nasal congestion. Help you weigh the pros and cons of allergy vaccines. These shots help your body gradually develop antibodies to allergens. Although they can take a while to work, most people need to go to an allergist weekly for a year and then monthly for several months after that. Still, the shots can be worth it for a lifetime of allergy-free living. Don’t give away your family pet until you’ve tried all these possible solutions. Even if you or a loved one has pet allergies, you may be surprised as to how well you can make things work with a little research and accommodation! Learn More: Shop for an Air Purifier How to Choose an Air Purifier How Air Purifiers Help Relieve Fall Allergies 5 Ways a Portable Air Conditioner Can Save You Money
