Allergic To Your Dog or Cat?

[Guest guest]

This article can be read also at http://allergy-

information.blogspot.com

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By: Murray

Pets definitely help us live longer and healthier lives. This is

especially true of the elderly and those of us who live alone. Pets

make wonderful and faithful companions. They are always there for

us. However, this relationship can become strained, and sometimes

even be broken when someone in the household develops an allergy to

a beloved pet.

Studies show that approximately 15% of the population suffers from

an allergy to a dog or cat, and about one third of those with an

allergy to cats choose to live in a household with a cat despite the

allergy. Some allergy suffers live happily with a pet for a year or

two before an allergy starts.

There are sometimes long term health ramifications of repeated

allergy flair up's, especially for children. Repeated flair-up's can

cause permanent lung damage in children. This should be carefully

and thoroughly discussed with your physician. One of the ways to

live happily with an animal you are allergic to is to decrease your

exposure to the animal. Keep the animal outside if possible.

If the allergy sufferer only has a mild reaction to the animal there

are ways for the two of them to live together in harmony, but it

takes work. The animal should not be allowed in the allergy

sufferers bedroom or on the bed. Keep the animal off of any

upholstered furniture in the house as dander can be transferred to

upholstered furniture. Use a room purifier to remove airborne animal

dander. Remove carpets from the home if possible and replace with

wood floors. Wash area rugs on a regular basis with warm water. Use

a vacuum with a HEPA filter in order to trap dander. The allergy

sufferer should wash his or her face and hands after handling the

animal. The animal can be bathed weekly in specially formulated

shampoo that removes dander.

In some cases where the above methods and the use of over the

counter antihistamines and decongestants do not help, the allergy

sufferer may need to seek the help of an allergist. Immunotherapy

can be thought of like a vaccination against your allergies. Given

on a regular basis as shots, immunotherapy helps your body build up

a natural tolerance to specific allergens.

With the use of the above methods you'll be able to live a long and

healthy life with your pet!

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This article can be read also at http://allergy-

information.blogspot.com