Healthy Tips For Better Live

Are you allergic to your pet? Studies show that approximately 15% of us are allergic to dogs or cats. In fact, there’s an estimated 1/3 of Americans who live with a pet that we are allergic to. So strong is the bond to our furry family members that we’d rather suffer than be without them.

So what can we do to ease our suffering and keep our pet’s companionship? There are several steps we can take to reduce these allergy symptoms if you’re willing to do them. One is to use a HEPA air filtration system in your home. This can run into some money but worth it if you truly suffer from allergies.

Cleaning your home frequently to remove dust and dander helps reduce the allergens. Having tile or wood floors helps in not holding onto dust and dander like carpet does. Cleaning goes for our pets’ things as well including their pet beds, dog carriers, cat carriers, any bolsters in dog crates, their toys if they are washable, etc.

Using a “microfilter” bag in your vacuum cleaner so you actually catch the dust and dander when you vacuum helps.

So now the house, pet items and fixtures are clean, but what about bathing your pet weekly. Not as easy if you have a cat but even cats can get used to being bathed if you start early. Bathing your pet weekly can reduce the level of allergens in their fur by as much as 84%. Allergens are present in their fur because the glands in their skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens. These are present in their fur, saliva, urine and also float in the air. People vary in their level of reaction to these allergens.

Creating a place in your home where your pets aren’t allowed entry is another thing you can do to help reduce your pet allergy symptoms. Your bedroom is a good choice as there are impermeable mattress covers available to reduce allergies even further.

For the true sufferers of animal allergies who are unwilling to give up their pet, you can go to an allergist and get shots. These immunotherapy shots work by desensitizing your immune system to the pet allergens. This is a gradual process.

If you don’t have a pet and are considering getting one, be sure you know if you’re allergic first. If you are and are willing to do what it takes to keep your pet, more power to you. However, if you are allergic and unsure about living with the difficulties that may bring, it’s best not to get one.

The degree of allergies varies from person to person. It can especially be disheartening to see a young child with allergies to the extent that they cannot even have a pet. Could you imagine having a pet for years, and all of a sudden finding out you are no longer able to keep it? Is there a means to deal with pet allergies that may lessen or even eliminate altogether the suffering for adults and children?

What Are You Allergic To? **

By establishing whether your pet is really the origin of an allergy is certainly the best starting point. Regardless, that can be a difficult task if you already have a pet since the allergens are very difficult to eliminate entirely.

If an existing pet can be removed and the home thoroughly cleaned (carpets, walls, furniture etc.) you MAY be able to verify the allergy in several months. Obviously that is not the easiest solution.

Having the child stay with a friend or relative for a week or two (as long as there are no pets in the house) may show an improvement that might point to an allergy to the family pet.

A visit to your physician can authenticate an allergy with a simple exam. The tests vary, but some can be mildly uneasy and would likely not be considered if the symptoms were mild.

Some symptoms are compounded by exposure to several allergens. By identifying different sources and removing them you may find the reaction to pets is lessened and not a barrier to enjoying their company.

Establishing an Allergy Friendly Home **

There are several steps you can take to reduce the build up of allergens and bring relief to allergy sufferers.

The initial suggestion is to have hardwood or other smooth surface for your flooring. Carpets hold far more of the particles that cause allergies and hard flooring makes it easy to disinfect.

Leather furnishings is also ideal for homes with pet allergies. For the exact reason as hard flooring is more suitable than carpet, leather holds far less allergens than fabric.

Keep a chair for the allergy sufferer that pets are not allowed to sit on. Also be certain that animals do not sleep on the beds or enter the bedrooms of allergy sufferers. Think about keeping the sleeping area of the home as a pet-free zone.

Making Your Pet as Hypo-Allerggenic as Possible **

There are even things you can do with your pet to lessen the allergic effects of having them in your home.

Frequent grooming and bathing with a mild soap to prohibit over drying will reduce the dander that is one of the leading causes of pet allergies. It would be recommended that someone without allergies take on this task.

Washing hands after playing with a pet and avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands will also help. Since some individuals are also allergic to the saliva of pets it would be sensible to not allow your pet to lick you.

In the instance of more serious allergies or asthma it may be necessary that no pet share the home. For older children or adults it may be feasible to find a medication or treatment which makes the situation tolerable if they prefer to keep the pet in spite of the allergy.

Is there such a thing as an allergy free dog? To answer this question you first must understand what an allergy is. If you have dog allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies.

The allergy producing proteins called allergens are produced in the dogs skin. When the dog licks himself or herself this sticky protein in the dead skin cells is deposited on the hair. When the dog hair comes into contact with dust, clothing, furniture, curtains, or you, the protein will stick to the surface of the object. Pet hair itself does not product allergic reactions in individual, but the dog dander that sticks to the dog hair will.

So the answer to the question is there such a thing as an allergy free dog is a resounding no. All dogs will produce this type of allergens and it will be found in the dog’s dander, saliva, or urine. The good news is that depending on the severity of the allergy reaction, the care you take in avoiding them, and the type of dog you have you may still own a dog.

When searching for hypoallergenic pets your first stop should be the American Kennel Club (AKC). They listed some dog breeds that they considered to be the most suitable for allergic individuals.

Consider Poodles, Airedales, and Schnauzers because they shed their skin about every 21 days whereas German Shepard and Irish Setters shed their skin about every three days. Less dander means less contact with the allergy producing allergen.

Another considerations are dogs that do not shed their hair very often or have very little hair to shed. Less airborne hair means less chance of you coming into contact with the allergen. You should consider the Poodle, Chinese Crested, Labradoodle (cross between a Labrador and a Poodle), Mexican Hairless, Chihuahua, Greyhound and Basenji.

The only true pet allergy test is for you to come into contact with the dog. Find a breeder or pet shop owner that will allow you to be with the dog for a day or so. If no allergy symptoms show up then you may have found the type of dog best suited to your allergy problems. Allergies Type I can get worst over time so if you have even a slight allergy reaction during your contact with the breed of dog you are considering you will need to look at another breed. Dogs usually live to be over 10 years of age so the decision you make today will affect you for years to come.

Mild cases of Allergies Type 1 can be treated with common products such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, and Quercitin.

Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.

Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.

Vitamin C is nature’s protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.

Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Many find Pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against allergy symptoms. It is another form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from allergy symptoms.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.