Cat Allergy Management And Treatment
Avoidance is the best way to manage a cat allergy. If you have a cat and are allergic to cats, consider removing the cat from the home.
If you have a cat but dont want to find it a new home, or if your family wants a cat even though someone in the household is allergic, here are some strategies that may help keep symptoms at bay:
- Keep the cat out of your bedroom and restrict it to only a few rooms. Be advised that keeping the cat in only one room will not limit the allergens to that room.
- Dont pet, hug or kiss the cat if you do, wash your hands with soap and water.
- High-efficiency particulate air cleaners run continuously in a bedroom or living room can reduce allergen levels over time.
- Regular use of a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum can reduce allergen levels.
- Giving your cat a bath at least once a week can reduce airborne cat allergen.
Treatments for cat allergy vary, depending on the symptoms.
Your allergist can help determine what treatment would be best to treat your cat allergy. Nasal symptoms often are treated with steroid nasal sprays, oral antihistamines or other oral medications. Eye symptoms are often treated with antihistamine eyedrops. Respiratory or asthma symptoms can be treated with inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators to either prevent or relieve respiratory symptoms.
Allergy shots are an effective treatment of allergies by building tolerance over time through gradually injecting increasing doses of an allergen.
Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils Are Essential
To get the effects you are looking for when using essential oils, therapeutic grade essential oils are highly recommended, especially when using them to treat symptoms related to allergies and when you are using them around pets.
Therapeutic grade essential oils are extracted from natural plants and are pure. Some companies develop essential oils and use the pure oil from the plant, but add fillers, such as natural carrier oils, or chemicals as false scents and fillers, kind of like cheap perfumes that can be as toxic on your body as well as the bodies of any animals you use them around.
Therapeutic grade essential oils are your best choice to use when using essential oils for pet dander, and preventing and treating symptoms caused by allergies to pets. If you intend to use essentials oils directly on yourself or your pets, you will need to dilute them and use extreme caution when using them on cats. It is imperative that you follow proper instructions when creating home remedies for dog and cat allergies, even when you are using therapeutic grade essential oils.
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Probiotics For Dog Allergies
You read that correctly. Since some dogs develop gastrointestinal symptoms when they suffer from allergies, such as chronic diarrhea or loose stools, it is worth adding a source of probiotics to their diet to help them. Plain yogurt can be used, for example, as a treat for your dog.
You can also get dog probiotics to ensure success.
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What If I Want To Keep My Pet
Removing the pet from the home is often the best treatment. However, if you still want to keep your pet, there may be some strategies to reduce exposure.
- Remove your pet from the bedroom. You spend from one-third to one-half of your time there. Keep the bedroom door closed and clean the bedroom aggressively. You might consider using a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom.
- Animal allergens are sticky. So you must remove the animal’s favorite furniture, remove wall-to-wall carpet and scrub the walls and woodwork. Keep surfaces throughout the home clean and uncluttered. Bare floors and walls are best.
- If you must have carpet, select one with a low pile and steam clean it frequently. Better yet, use throw rugs and wash them in hot water.
- Wear a dust mask to vacuum. Vacuum cleaners stir up allergens that have settled on carpet and make allergies worse. Use a vacuum with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® filter if possible.
How To Live With Allergies And Pets
Millions of people enjoy sharing their homes and their lives with pets, even those who are allergic to animals. Unfortunately, some people believe that once they are diagnosed with a pet allergy, they have no choice but to remove their pets from their family.
Thankfully, there are many solutions that can be explored that would allow an allergy sufferer to keep their beloved pets while successfully managing their allergies. You’d be surprised to know how many people with allergies that aren’t life-threatening are able to live happily with their pets.
In many cases, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies.
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How To Get Rid Of Dog Allergies
For claritys sake, this article is for people who suffer from allergies to dogs, not for dogs that suffer from allergies. That isnt to say that dogs with allergies arent important. Theyre just not the focus here, and regardless of the dogs health, they are the cause of the allergies being discussed. And really, without people, there wouldnt be domestic dogs to begin with. So if you have dog allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, stuffy nose, or coughingthere are some things you can do about it preferably before you get rid of the dog.
The best news is that you dont necessarily have to live a dog-free life. Sadly, some people have allergies too severe for natural allergy remedies to help. In that case, if those people are really determined to get a dog, they should consult a doctor or allergy specialist. Some long-term allergy treatments are available. The rest of us dog allergy-sufferers can typically get by with the following information.
How To Live With A Pet Allergy Without Getting Rid Of Your Pet
Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the U.S. and approximately half of all Americans test positive for at least one of the 10 most common allergens, including cat allergies, according to a profile from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that about 15-30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs. With more than 100 million pets in the United States this leads to high allergy morbidity as people are exposed to animal allergens when visiting friends and family or even in public spaces like schools and offices.
While it will require some extra work, it is possible to live with a pet allergy and continue to keep your animal as a member of the family. Pet allergies are caused by reactions to proteins found in the pet’s skin cells, saliva, or urine and are usually triggered when people are exposed to these proteins. While dog and cat allergies are the most common, any pet can cause allergies. It can be difficult for some people to determine whether the symptoms they are expecting are a common cold or if they are actually allergic to dogs or cats.
Pet allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and sometimes wheezing or difficulty breathing.
First, the person should look at changing their environment.
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Grow Houseplants To Clean The Air
If you can keep Fido and Fluffy from playing with them, houseplants are another great option for cleansing your indoor air of many odors and allergens.
In fact, former NASA scientist B.C. Wolverton, author of the bestseller How to Grow Fresh Air, found in her research that houseplants are the quickest and most efficient filters of common air pollutants like ammonia. Of course, while houseplants are a great way to improve your indoor air quality, theres no denying that an air purifier with a HEPA filter is still your strongest weapon in the fight against airborne pollutants, including many that houseplants cant do anything about.
Please Note: A few of the plants that were analyzed by NASA are poisonous to pets. So, before you fill your house with a bunch of houseplants, please make sure you do the proper research so you avoid unintentionally putting your furry family members in danger.
Try these tactics for cutting down on indoor pet allergens, and you and your furry friends are sure to breathe easy.
Hanging On To Furniture
Static power produced by dry air can cause your cat to stick to dense surfaces such as cabinets. Tiny cells float in the air and can cling to the sticky, greasy soot covering your kitchen cupboards.
However,
- Wash the cabinets with hot tap water and a little oily dish soap to remove dander and film.
- Clean the cabinets
- Also, reduce the relative humidity of your home to around 50% with a humidifier.
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Use A Little Neem Cream
Itchy skin and redness is yet another common allergy symptom. This occurs when dander lands on the area, but may also be a result of an over-active immune system. The problem can be made worse by a number of everyday products such as deodorants, shower gel and bubble bath.
Neem is a type of tree that is known to have a number of health benefits. Here at A.Vogel, however, we use it in our Neem Cream as it is very effective in soothing irritated, red or itchy skin.
To make this product we use fresh rather than dried neem extracts as this maintains the active ingredients that make neem so beneficial for our skin.
Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.
Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?
Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.
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Would You Get Rid Of Your Pet If Your Baby Was Allergic
When my mother was pregnant with me, my parents had a Great Dane named Lucifer. Don’t let the name fool you Lucifer was anything but the devil. He was a loving, gentle dog. As her due date approached, many people expected her to “get rid” of the dog. That wasn’t an option: Lucifer was a member of the family.
After I was born, my mom would joke that Lucifer believed HE was my mother. He was by my side day in and day out. He loved me, protected me and made sure my mom and dad always knew when I needed them. He was as in love with me as my parents were.
Growing up, our animals — dogs and cats alike — were always a huge part of our family. This held true even after my pet allergies revealed their ugly head. Our animals provided us with joy, happiness, love, companionship and emotional support that was indispensable. I couldn’t imagine growing up without pets, and hope to provide my child with the same experience.
As a mom-to-be, I’ve been privy to many parenting forums about various topics, and most recently, I read one that discussed getting rid of pets when a child is allergic. I was saddened by some of the harsh criticism and “quick-to-dispense” attitudes of some of the participants. Some of those who believed getting rid of their pets was the only right option sounded as if their pets were merely accessories and were only worth having around when it was convenient.
only solution
What would you do if you find out your newborn or young child is allergic to your pet?
Keep Fluffy Off The Couch
Keeping pets off carpets, upholstered furniture, and beds can reduce exposure to dander. Keeping pets out of carsor restricting them to a non-upholstered tailgate area, if possibleis also a good idea.
In addition, any furniture, fabrics, or materials that pets do come into contact with should be vacuumed or washed frequently. This includes throw rugs, pet beds, cushions, pillows, and blankets.
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Diagnosis Of Dust Mite Allergies On Dogs
Making the correct diagnosis of dust mites allergy on dogs can be challenging. This is because the symptoms are similar to many other conditions like food and parasite allergies. For this reason, you should seek a professional diagnosis for effective treatment.
Your vet will perform a physical test for vital signs and ask questions about the symptoms, like when they occur. Specific tests can also be done to diagnose a dust allergy. In a serum test, a blood sample is taken to check for signs of allergy presence. An intradermal test is the most accurate for allergens, though it is quite expensive. Be sure to mention that the dog is okay when it is outside and that the condition is present all year round. This will help the vet to narrow down the possible allergens.
Get Hard Wood Flooring
Carpets easily collect animal dander so this is yet another thing that could make allergy symptoms more intense. Hard wood flooring, on the other hand, does not. This type of flooring has the added benefit that its quite easy to clean a sweep with a damp mop will gather up any dander.
This is quite a drastic, not to mention expensive, way to minimise allergy symptoms so Id recommend you try all the other options on this list before taking this one further.
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Choose And Use Hepa Filters
High-efficiency particulate air filters capture tiny particles in the air. Pollen, dust mite, and cockroach byproducts are heavier than pet dander and are more likely to settle onto furniture and other surfaces. Its important to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter when you are cleaning because vacuuming with a regular filter blows more allergens into the air. Also consider using HEPA filters in your air conditioner. If you use an air purifier in your home, a HEPA filter is a must, especially if you have pets.
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What Kinds Of Pet Dander Allergy Symptoms Will My Child Have
Good question!
If your child seems to have year-round symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes and frequent sneezing indoors , these are signs that your child may have an allergy to dust mites, mold, or your pet.
In the case of year-round symptoms, you will need to do a little workand with your allergists help determine if its your pet or something else causing the reactions.
Before scheduling that appointment though, do a little detective work yourself
First, watch your child playing with the pet. You want to try to pay attention to how he is before and after being in contact with the animal. It might also help to have your child spend time away from the house, say a weekend sleepover at Grandmas or some other place without pets to determine if the symptoms have cleared up. When you re-introduce him to the pet, pay attention to his bodys reaction.
If you believe that your pet is causing the allergies, its time to schedule an appointment with an allergy specialist. Depending on the symptoms, we may prescribe an antihistamine to handle the reactions. But if the symptoms are more intense or impact quality of life, then you will want to find out exactly what your child is allergic to and what the best treatment options are.
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Reduce The Allergens And Your Symptoms
If you are allergic to your pet and your reactions arent life-threatening, there are many ways to reduce indoor allergens and allergy symptoms so you and your pet can live together more comfortably.
If your or a family member’s allergies are simply miserable, but not life-threatening, take these five steps to reduce the symptoms:
1. Create an “allergy free” zone in your homepreferably the allergic person’s bedroomand strictly prohibit the pet’s access to it. Use a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner, and consider using impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows.
2. Use HEPA air cleaners throughout the rest of the home, and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, washing articles such as couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds.
3. Bathe your pet on a weekly basis to reduce the level of allergy-causing dander . Cats can get used to being bathed, but it’s critical to only use products labeled for them kittens may need a shampoo safe for kittens. Check with your veterinarian’s staff or a good book on pet care for directions about safe bathing, It’s a good idea to use a shampoo recommended by your veterinarian or other animal care professional.
Strategies To Reduce Pet Allergies
If your childs allergies arent too severe, you may be able to take some steps to reduce your childs symptoms and keep your pet. For instance:
Keep pets out of the bedroom. Make your childs room a pet-free zone and be sure to keep it clean. To keep the room pet dander- and pollen-free, install a high-efficiency air filter and air purifier. Remember to change the filters frequently.
Cover your childs bed with extra protection. You can buy dust mite covers for your childs pillow, blanket, and mattress. This will also help keep out dust mites, another potential allergy trigger, in addition to allergens like pet dander.
Go for hard surfaces. Where you can, replace upholstered surfaces with non-fabric or easily washable materials. Pet dander sticks to upholstery, drapes, curtains, and carpeting more easily than it does to surfaces such as wood, vinyl, or tile. Plus, the latter are easier to clean. For this reason, you also shouldnt let your allergic child sleep with stuffed animals, Dr. Nassef adds. If you must have carpet in your child’s bedroom or elsewhere in your home, select a low-pile one and have it steam-cleaned regularly.
Teach your child to wash his hands with soap and water after touching the pet. Washing helps prevent the spread of allergens to your childs nose, eyes, and mouth which is especially important if your child gets a rash from having been licked by your pet, Nassef says.
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