Playing with your beloved pet is a great pastime activity, but it can also be a catastrophe if you are allergic. Animal allergies, also known as pet allergies, can endanger your health. Any animal with fur can be a cause of animal allergies, but it is frequently associated with dogs and cats, as they are the most common domesticated pets. Allergic reactions occur when your immune system responds to combat pet dander, saliva, or urine because it recognizes such things as foreign invaders.
Animal allergies can cause sneezing, congestion, watery and itchy eyes, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Nonetheless, along with consulting with an allergy specialist, there are measures you can take to deal with animal allergies at home.
Signs and Symptoms of Animal Allergies
Before dealing with animal allergies, you must understand what is happening in your body and whether you really have allergies. Doing so will help you become more knowledgeable about what you need to do.
If you are allergic to a pet, after exposure, your nasal passages will swell and become inflamed. This can result in sneezing, coughing, face pain, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes, nose, or throat. It can also contribute to asthma, causing chest tightness or breathing difficulties. Allergic dermatitis is also possible, so you may experience symptoms such as hives.
These symptoms may be similar to other diseases, so you must consult your health care provider for a proper diagnosis.
Dealing with Animal Allergies
The most ideal way to deal with animal allergies is to avoid exposure to animals you know trigger allergic reactions. However, this would mean never having a pet that you or your family wants. Even if you don’t have pets at home, it can still be challenging to completely avoid allergens because they can transfer via clothing and air when you visit a friend or extended family member with pets. If you live in an apartment building, pet dander pay travel in between units to reach you.
The following are measures you can take to minimize animal allergens and reduce symptoms:
1. Consult With An Allergist
Your doctor can prescribe antihistamines and other treatment solutions that can help reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. This is a critical step in taking control of your animal allergies. Without the help of an allergist, you are likely to feel chronic allergy symptoms if you live in close proximity to an animal.
2. Regularly Bathe and Groom Your Pet
Regularly bathe and groom your pet to reduce fur, hair, and dander from flying around the house. This can significantly reduce your exposure to allergens as your pet moves around the home. People who regularly bathe and groom their pets experience significantly less allergy symptoms.
3. Use an Air Filter
HEPA filters are useful for reducing airborne allergens. You can also install vent filters in your home. Look for ones that can filter out pet hair and dander, pollen, and dust mites.
4. Keep Your House Clean
Keeping your home clean can do wonders. If possible, stop using home furnishings that trap pet allergens, such as carpets and mats. Instead, go with furniture and floors that can be easily wiped and cleaned, such as leather couches and hardwood floors.
5. Limit Areas Where You Allow Your Pet
Establish pet-free zones inside the home. An example of this is not letting your pet enter your bedroom. This can save you from consistent exposure throughout the night and prevent your pet from getting hair, fur, and dander on your sheets and pillows.
Pet Allergy Treatment in Florida
Having a pet can be fulfilling, but it can also become a hassle if you have allergies. By following the measures above, you can effectively manage your condition without having to give up your beloved pet.
Here at Intercoastal Medical Group, you can trust our allergy specialist, Dr. Matthew Aresery, to give you patient-centered and high-quality care to address your allergies. Reach out to us as soon as you feel symptoms to prevent it from worsening. For inquiries or to schedule a consultation, call our Lakewood Ranch I office at (941) 362-8640 or schedule an appointment online.
