Having a Pet Allergy Is The Pits
Pets provide companionship, security, and a sense of comfort; and more than 70 percent of the United States households have a dog or cat. However, people with allergies need to be careful when trying to decide which kind of pet they can safely bring home.
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.
People that are allergic to animals are often allergic to the dander (dead skin that is continually shed), the saliva, or the urine. Because dogs and cats are the most common pets, they top the list of animals that people are allergic to. In addition, there may be certain animals within a given species that they are more allergic to than others.
What are the Symptoms?
People with multiple allergies are well aware that their allergies are acting up; they suffer from itchy eyes, runny noses, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin, or a rash. People that are unaware they have allergies, especially children, will suffer from some of these symptoms and have a greater increase in colds and asthma symptoms.
Are there any hypoallergenic dogs?
There are no hypoallergenic dogs, nor are there any dogs that do not shed. All dogs shed, though some dogs have a much denser hair coat than others and shed a greater quantity of hair than those with a thinner coat. Since it is the dander and not the hair that is the problem, shedding is not important in allergy control. Some breeds, appear to have less dander and these include: Poodles, Terriers, and Schnauzers. Many people can be allergic to certain types of animals and not to others.
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 animals; they are an integral part of our lives. But, by adopting some good management skills, we can help make our allergies and life with our dog much better for both.