Allergy To Pet Dander
An allergy to pet dander can be disheartening to people who love animals and want to keep them indoors. There are some ways that can help minimize some of the symptoms associated with pet dander that may make it possible to keep animals indoors. Some of these include bathing animals weekly, using an air purifier, vacuuming carpets frequently, keeping animals off furniture, and taking antihistamines. Some of the symptoms associated with pet allergies are sneezing, runny nose, itching and watery eyes, coughing, wheezing, hives, and eczema. Pet allergy relief can be helped through immunotherapy by taking a series of injections to build up a tolerance of the allergen. People who are allergic to animals are usually sensitive to other substances such as dust mites, pollen, ragweed, perfume, cigarette smoke, mold, and some foods.
Common sense may help to identify substances so that a person can narrow down the possibilities of an allergy to pet dander. Seasonal reactions that show up the same time every year are more than likely caused by pollen. Symptoms that show up all year around are usually linked to dust mites and animals. The usual cause of a reaction to allergens is from microscopic organisms that enter the body through the nose. The immune system sees the organisms as foreign and produces histamine to get rid of them. Taking antihistamines will prevent the body from producing histamine and help to minimize symptoms.
Simple measures can be used in the home to minimize symptoms triggered by organisms. Keeping the windows closed and using an air purifier to keep microscopic organisms out of the air will help minimize seasonal triggers. Keeping animals out of the bedroom will provide pet allergy relief associated with animal dander and saliva. If keeping animals out of the bedroom is not realistic then at least keep the critters off of the bed. Petting an animal can transfer microscopic organisms to the person's hands so it makes sense to wash hands immediately afterwards to rid them of allergens.
Carpeting attracts dust mites, pet dander, cigarette smoke, and other microscopic organisms. People who have symptoms that are making them sick should consider pulling up the carpet and laying down tile or hardwood flooring instead. An allergy to pet dander and other substances will improve some by doing this one thing. Fortunately there are other things that can be done in the home to minimize symptoms. Some of these are, no smoking in the house, washing throw rugs frequently, cleaning frequently, replacing drapes and Venetian blinds with window shades, limiting items that have to be dusted frequently, and not using a fan in the house because it will stir up dust.
Some people think that allergies to animals are caused from fur or hair when in fact an allergy to pet dander is caused from the skin of the animal. Animals shed their skin just like humans, so dander is in fact dead skin cells. An animal's fur can be a cause for an allergic reaction if the animal goes outside. While outside the hair on animals can pick up substances such as pollen. There are two very important reasons to bathe animals frequently; to rid the animals of substances in the fur and wash away dead skin cells.
People who suffer from severe allergies can develop more pronounced symptoms such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, nausea, and swelling of the eyes and throat. When this happens the person should seek medical attention and consider other drastic measures such as keeping epinephrine (epi pen) close by and trying to find out exactly what is causing the symptoms. This can be accomplished by undergoing allergy testing and immunotherapy. If the severity of the reaction is caused from animals being in the house then either the pet goes outdoors or can be adopted out. Pet allergy relief may not be possible as long as the animal is inside. People who have animals usually love the little critters like they are part of the family. "Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name." (Genesis 2:19)
Treatment for allergies normally consists of taking antihistamines, and using nasal sprays that contain steroids. People who have symptoms year around will probably need to use the antihistamines and nasal spray every single day. Unfortunately having symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness may indicate a more serious condition such as asthma. Asthma is more common in children than in adults. A child who suffers from asthma may have many triggers that cause their symptoms. Children love animals and love to sleep with them. Pet allergy relief for a child with asthma may mean putting the animal outside to eliminate exposure.
Foods have also been known to cause symptoms in people who are sensitive. Some of the common ones are dairy products, wheat, eggs, shellfish, soy, peanuts, corn, and citrus fruits. One of the main symptoms associated with food allergies is the development of hives or eczema. Other reactions to foods can cause severe symptoms such as swelling of the throat and shock. Stomach problems can surface as well when a person ingests a substance that the immune system sees as an invader. The symptoms are usually nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The best way to treat food sensitivities is to avoid the offending substances altogether.
Dog Allergy MedicationDog allergy medication may be administered due to the suspicion or validation of a dander protein reaction. Other than the obvious symptom of sneezing and a runny nose, insomnia and sensitive skin including eczema may occur. Symptoms include itchy eyes, skin rash, and asthmatic breathing problems due to swelling in the throat. Monthly bathing can drastically decrease the allergens omitted thus decreasing the need for dog allergy treatments. Cleaning the house as well as choosing low-allergen furniture and cleaning products decrease the instance of allergic reaction which creates the need for dog allergy treatments.
Complications can occur if the symptoms are not treated. This includes ear infection and diminished mental capacity due to ongoing sickness. This is especially harmful to children who need every minute of learning opportunity for development. Ongoing problems will only damage the immune system opening the way for other diseases not even related to animals. Regular housecleaning as well as clearing the clutter will aid in the reduction of allergens causing reaction requiring dog allergy medication. Carpet and long hair furniture should be avoided in order to decrease the possibility of complications in addition to the existing problem. Low-fume polyurethanes are available to refinish wood floors, but regular cleaning with effective yet low chemical output cleaners offer the best possible outcome. Bed sheets and blankets should be washed regularly. Furniture in the bedroom should be finished wood and window treatments need to be easy to clean. The lesser amounts of allergens present, the lesser possibility of instance. When building a new house there are many products now available to lower allergens in the house as well as installing high functioning purifiers. Meeting people with the same obstacles will help determine the best products to buy and the best choices to make concerning life changes of any magnitude. Someone who has dealt with pet allergies for an extended period of time has probably tried everything there is to try and will have a lot of good advice on what not to do. Consequently, no one has all the answers but a head start is encouraging and helpful concerning dog allergy treatments.
Identifying the cause of allergic reactions will ensure a patient that dog allergy treatments are the right thing to do. Keep a journal of when the symptoms occur including staging high-risk situations. Even if the dog doesn't usually sleep with the person suffering symptoms this may be a good experiment to ensure the right problem is being treated. Likewise, exposing the person to a variety of situations ensures the right type of dog allergy medication is used. In addition, skin tests may be necessary to pinpoint exact causes or additional allergens, which will help the doctor determine the type of level of medication to prescribe. Blood tests can also be taken, but are less accurate. Vacuums used with a Hepa filter should be used instead of ones with bags to decrease the amount of dust remaining in the air. In addition, the entire house should be furnished and decorated in a way that creates the least amount of allergens and is easiest to clean. It doesn't matter if a house is set up for optimal success if it never gets cleaned.
Many medications are available to help someone deal with animal irritants. Antihistamine is available in tablet or syrup form and helps to relieve symptoms of hay fever, which mirror the effects of pet allergens. Sodium nasal and eye sprays are also available over the counter to reduce inflammation in the airways. Depending on the specific symptoms, asthma relievers may offer relief including inhalers. Some anti-inflammatories work similar to long lasting asthma medication to prevent or decrease the amount of attacks as a proactive measure. Speaking with a doctor about any other medications either synthetic or herbal will enable the doctor to prescribe the best medicine to avoid any negative reactions between treatments. This includes any special diet or homeopathic medicine such as batch herb treatment and even massage therapy. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 43:5)
If a person needs to have a dog then there are certain breeds that are better than others for allergies. Poodles, Airedales, and schnauzers produce less dander therefore cause less need for dog allergy medication. In comparison, cocker spaniels, German Shepherds, and Irish setters create more dander and should be avoided if allergies are an issue. Washing hands and possibly changing clothing after contact with the pet will create the environment for keeping allergens at a lower level. Cleaning all woodwork on a regular basis likewise decreases dust and other allergens. Regular maintenance using Hepa for air and furnace filters decreases the amount of dander and dust floating in the air. Regular baths can minimize dander as well as eliminate germs from the hair and skin. Make sure the dog has lots of protein in the diet, which has shown to reduce the instance of dander on the skin. Immunotherapy is a process of numerous injections over a period of time, which builds the body immunity to dander allergies. Any measures a person can take to live a healthier life will help with any sort of allergens. If the source of reaction is unknown then elimination strategies are an effective way to determine all the ways the body reacts negatively to natural and synthetic exposure. Chemical sensitivity is another aspect of adverse effects the body reacts to. This means that many things not necessarily related can cause an allergic reaction due to similar chemical components.