The human has been living close to an animal or I may say together with it for millions of years. Now many have to defend themselves against some animals such are pets because they are allergic to them. Pets considered to be important in our modern life. They show the affair to us, accompany and protect us. The discovery that you’re allergic to pets is really the heartbreaking for owners who have been living with their pets for the long time. Anyway there are some ways to help it.
First of all, what is allergy? Allergy (also called Hypersensitivity) is an abnormal, acquired sensitivity to a given substance, including pollen, drugs, or numerous environmental triggers.
Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats.
More than 70 percent of U.S. households have a dog or cat. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. Allergic rhinitis afflicts 20%-30% of the US population.
Pet allergens are proteins, which when in contact with the skin or breathed in, cause an allergic reaction that provokes the body into producing histamine.
There are no “non-allergenic” cats or dogs. All cats and dogs are allergenic (allergy-causing) to people who are allergic to animals.Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. allergist advice hairless breeds to pet-allergic humans (for example Sphynx cats).
Pet allergen comes mainly from the animal’s saliva, it is a protein transmitted by licking, sometimes hair but more often it’s dander. Humans after contacting with animals carry allergenic proteins on their hands and clothes. Also lots of them exist in such places as carpets and you’ll lift them up into the air by foot traffic. The striking fact is that it can take months or years to remove pet allergen from your home after the pet is given away.
Air purifiers can help you. Just by spraying it into the air you’ll reduce allergenic particles. Furthermore try to wash your hands after each interaction with your pet.
The symptoms are similar to a “cold” so sometimes it’s difficult to notice that you’re allergic to pets. Signs to look for are:
1. Eyes becoming itchy, watery or even red
2. Runny nose
3. Throat may itch
4. Cough
5. Rash on your skin or hives
If you have some of these symptoms you should ask an allergist for help. Also there is medicine which can help you: nasal sprays or drops, eye drops or tablets.
If you still have a pet take these fairly easy steps to reduce the symptoms:
- Keep your pet out off your bedroom, close off your sleeping area and keep it clean.
-Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaners and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors.
- If you do have carpets you should use a vacuum with a HEPA Filter, an ordinary vacuum will just stir up the allergens.
- Bathe your pet every week. That can reduce the level of allergens on fur by 85 %.
- Purchase an air purifier
- Keep windows open to circulate air
- Wash your hands after contact with the pet
There are some hypotheses explaining the phenomenon of increasing the allergies in the past decades:
