Having a Pet Allergy

People with allergies should be careful in deciding what type of pet they can safely bring into their home. More than 70 percent of the U.S. households have a dog or a cat. Pets provide comfort, security, and companionship. It is no wonder everyone wants a pet.

What they don’t want is the allergy that may come with owning one.

Sneezing and wheezing are oftentimes the result of exposure to a pet. Ten percent of the population may be allergic to its animals. Higher rates 20 to 30 percent have asthma and also have pet allergies.

Human Allergies to Dogs

Thousands of people who suffer do so to allergies to dogs. Some of the saddest cases are where the owner develops an allergy and is faced with giving the dog up or keeping the dog and living with the constant allergy symptoms.

The parts of the animal that people are most allergic to are the dander, the saliva, or the urine. Because dogs and cats are the most common pets, they top the list of pets people are also allergic to. In addition to this factor, people may be allergic to certain types of dogs and not to others.

What are the Symptoms?

People who have multiple allergies know when their allergies are bothering them. They suffer from signs such as: runny nose, watery eyes, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin, or a rash. People that don’t seem aware of their symptoms have a greater risk for colds and asthma symptoms.

Are there any hypoallergenic dogs?

No, there are no hypoallergenic dogs. All dogs shed, but some do more than others. That is primarily because some have a denser coat of hair than do other breeds. It is not the hair that people are allergic to anyway, it is the dander. Some breeds of dogs do seem to have less dander and these include: Terriers, Poodles, and Schnauzers. Many people can be allergic to one type of dogs and not another.

How can a person reduce allergic symptoms to a pet?

If you or a family member is part of the population who are allergic to pets, there are some things that you can do to help keep your allergic reactions under control. You can clean and vacuum regularly, bathe your pet weekly, brush your pet daily, do not allow the dog on the furniture, and do not allow the dog in the car.

It is impossible to avoid contact with animals since they are a very integral part of our lives. But, when you adopt some good management techniques, you make your allergies less painful and your dog much happier. Together, you can live happily ever after.

People love their cats. These family members help to create memories that last a lifetime. Children love to play with dogs or cats. It can be so disheartening when a family member becomes allergic to pet dander. These allergies can cause asthma and other health issues, so they need to be taken seriously. Symptoms of cat allergies include: sinuses may become drained or clogged, itchy red eyes, skin rashes. One of the most severe symptoms is difficulty breathing.

If you’re like most people, you love your pet. This may lead you to ask the question: how can I control my cat allergies? The good news is that there are treatment options available. First of all you should look at things you can do on a daily basis around your house. This includes dusting and vacuuming as often as possible. This will remove the cat dander and other allergens out of the air that you breathe. It’s also important to change the air filters in your heating units and air conditioner. Again this will make sure the air you are breathing is clean.

If none of these work, it is possible to purchase over the counter cat allergy medications that don’t require a prescription. While these treatments are for allergy sufferers in general, they do work for people who suffer from cat allergies. Zyrtec and Claritin are two popular brands to look for. They are both non drowsy antihistamines, which is one of the main benefits.

Don’t let cat allergies come between you and your favorite pet. By looking at all the treatments options you’ll be able to find a way to continue to live with your favorite member of the family.

Cats are one of the most loved pets in the world, no question about it. More than 50% of all households in the United States own dogs and cats. Although cats are loved animals, cat allergies are one of the common forms of allergies. Statistics in the past have shown that over 10 million people in the U.S. alone have allergic reactions to cats - especially their fur.The biggest cause of cat allergies is dander. The dander, is dust that is produced by the body of the cat. Dander is basically shed skin that comes off of cats, normally in the form of small flakes. Although dander can irritate your skin, it can also get into your immune system as well, resulting in a variety of symptoms and almost immediate allergic reactions.

The dander, once in the immune system, is perceived to be a threat. Even though it isn’t classified as a disease, it’s more of a reflex by your body and your immune system. Cat allergies occur quite often due to cats having allergens that are spread throughout their blood, urine, and saliva. Although a cat may not be present at the time, the excretions probably still are.

Cat dander, urine, and saliva, are found throughout the home of cat owners. Cats constantly groom themselves, which involves rubbing their saliva into their fur. When they do this, they spread their dander and allergens around. Although you may try, there is really nothing that you can do about it. Cats have a natural instinct to groom or bathe themselves, no matter how many baths you give them, you simply won’t stop them from grooming.

Normally, when someone is taking an allergic reaction to cats, he or she will wheeze, cough, sneeze, itch, have watery eyes, or a difficult time in breathing. Different people react different ways to cat allergens, meaning that some symptoms may not occur at all. Fever and chills is very rare, although it can happen. If someone who has cat allergies comes down with fever and chills, you should contact a doctor immediately. Chances are, it isn’t an allergic reaction to cats, but instead another type of disease that a doctor will need to identify.

Cat allergies are normally treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Those that experience asthma attacks or other forms of allergies, normally take antihistamines. Decongestants on the other hand, are normally used to cure coughs and swollen nasal passages. Sometimes, doctors will recommend allergy shots as well. Allergy shots can help to prevent the attack, especially if someone is really allergic to cats. They are a good form of treatment and prevention, and they can also help to decrease the risk of allergies affecting the individual.

If you suspect that you have cat allergies, you should always make it a point to visit your doctor. He will be able to further diagnose your situation, and give you the best options available for treatment. If you do indeed suffer from cat allergies, the best way to stop the attacks is to get rid of your cat.

Getting rid of a cat can be a very tough thing to do. If you have become allergic to your cat’s fur, there may be no other way to prevent attacks than to get rid of him. Although doctors can give you medicine and shots, it will only do so much. Cat allergens are no fun, especially if you develop them years after owning your cat. Cats are great animals to own - although cat allergies are something we could all live without. http://tinyurl.com/5bn2s3

It is no secret that dogs are considered man’s best friend. They hunt and fish together, rub each other’s belly, and cuddle on the couch as if neither has a care in the world.Animals are comforting, always have been, always will be. The reason behind this theory is simple. Animals are accepting. They accept you for who you are no matter how bad of a day you’ve had. They don’t mind if you are not on top of your game, if the house is a mess, or if less than desirable food is in the fridge.

A dog, a cat, a fish, or a bird - regardless of the type of animal, they are loyal friends that do not talk back, sass, or give us a guilty look. They do not offer constant reminders of our faults. Instead, they are happy to see us, welcoming us into their world at any time of the day.

In my opinion, animals are the superior species. Kind, gentle, protective, and aggressive - all traits that are difficult to find in one particular human being. However, how do we find the same sense of acceptance, loyalty, and kindness without owning a pet?

The perfect solution - garden statues. For years, I have suffered from allergies and asthma, thus limiting my selection of prime pets and limiting my contact with man’s best friend. However, I long for the companionship and the beauty that these animals possess. So, one visit to the botanical gardens and the zoo prompted me to seek out cat garden statues, similar to the ones on display at a popular exhibit.

It wasn’t an easy task - sure there were lion garden statues in bronze and cast stone prevalent at manufacturers and distributors online, but I truly wanted a dog or cat garden statue. Believe it or not, I had more luck finding lamb garden statues and all sorts of wildlife statue constructions until I began searching for fountains online.

I quickly learned that fountains and statues go hand in hand, and rightfully so. When commercial and residential customers seek to enhance landscaping and gardens, typically a fountain is the first purchase. Indoor and outdoor fountains create an illusion that is peaceful and serene, just as a comforting pet can provide. But, because of the admiration for animals and the continuing friendship between humans and pets, animal statues have now become a hot commodity for both commercial and residential consumers.

To my delight, I found a few cat garden statues and planted them strategically next to my gazebo - in my safe zone away from life’s interruptions and stresses. When I feel the need for companionship, relaxation, and rest, I plant myself in the garden with a familiar face and an old friend (in other words, a herd of old friends).

I found an easy solution to a lifelong problem. For those suffering from allergies, know that you can have man’s best friend in full form - and it still won’t talk back, sass, or lay guilty eyes upon you.

Is it difficult for you to approach your pet without itching or sneezing? If so, your body may be overly sensitive to your pet’s dander. But just what is pet dander and how does it affect your allergies? Mostly, it is a combination of deal skin and hair that can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, nose, and eyes of humans. Not surprisingly, more than 70% of families in the United States have either a dog or cat in their household. Sadly, between 10-15% of the American population suffers from allergic reactions caused by their own pets. Knowing this information, what can you do to protect you family from these harmful effects.Ridding of your favorite household companion is not always the answer, though some families must unfortunately resort to it. As a matter of fact, dander may still linger in the air even if a pet is removed. Animal dander can remain in a household for up to six months after a pet is no longer present since it is an active allergen. The decisions regarding what to do with the family pet should be made based on the severity of the damage it is producing to the family members within their home.

The most common household pets are dogs and cats. As far as cats are concerned, six million Americans develop allergic reactions to them, representing just how imperative it is to be thoughtful of their presence. The substance that causes the allergic reaction is actually not their hair but rather an airborne protein found in the hair and saliva. It can spread throughout a house very quickly and is known to stick to most clothing. Allergic reactions to dogs, on the other hand, are usually less common. However, if you are allergic to dogs then simply being licked by the animal can trigger an allergic response.

The animal’s fur is not the allergen; it is the dander. In order to prevent these loved animals from negatively affecting your everyday lifestyle, there are several measures that should be taken. For one, do not allow pets to rest on furniture, as the allergens that they produce can stick and remain there for long periods of time. In addition, minimizing physical contact with a pet is important, as a basic touch to your skin can produce much unwanted itchiness. Forced air heaters and air conditioners are known to help spread the allergens throughout the household. For this reason it is important to consider investing in an NanoO2 type air purifier to remove the unwanted airborne pollutants that accumulate. Finally, bathing your pet regularly is essential, as it substantially decreases the amount of allergens that can be produced. Bathing the animals helps in reducing the output of oils on their skin even though it might remove some of the shine on their fur. By taking these appropriate measures, you should hopefully not have to part with man’s best friend.