Jaz,
I am a fellow-sufferer. I have mild allergies to cats and dogs. My
husband and I love cats and dogs, and to give up our critters would be
unthinkable. There are several new prescription antihistamines, and
many expensive options such as HEPA filters, but one of the simplest,
safest, and least expensive options is simple: a doggie bath.
Many allergic symptoms are caused not by our pets' hair, but by bodily
secretions on the hair (that is why cats often cause more allergic
reactions than dogs, since cats lick themselves and spread certain
substances from their saliva onto their fur.)
"Household pets are the most common source of allergic reactions to
animals. Many people think that pet allergy is provoked by the fur of
cats and dogs. But researchers have found that the major allergens are
proteins secreted by oil glands in the animals' skin and shed in
dander as well as proteins in the saliva, which sticks to the fur when
the animal licks itself. Urine is also a source of allergy-causing
proteins. When the substance carrying the proteins dries, the proteins
can then float into the air."
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Animal Allergy
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/allergens/animal.htm
Here are several sites which offer useful advice about lessening the
number of pet allergens in your home. Some of these sites sell HEPA
filters and antihistamine products, but the advice is good even if you
don't buy the merchandise:
Rhinocort Aqua: Pet Allergies
http://www.rhinocortaqua.com/c/year_round/pet.asp
Achoo Allergy & Air Products: Dander
http://www.achooallergy.com/index.asp?pageid=1006
The Breathing Company: Pets
http://www.thebreathingcompany.com/pets.htm
Allergy Be Gone: Decreasing Pet Dander Exposure
http://www.allergybegone.com/decpetdanex.html
Allergy Buyers' Club: Pet Allergies FAQ
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/faqs/petallergy.shtml
Organic Style: Allergy-Proof Your Home
http://organicstyle.com/members/archives/allergyproof.html
American Lung Association: Tips on Reducing Asthma and Allergy
Symptoms Triggered by Pets
http://www.lungusa.org/press/envir/air_041201.html
The best advice I can give (other than recommending over-the-counter
antihistamines and a HEPA filter, if you can afford it) is to reduce
the amount of allergens by bathing your pet frequently, using one of
the new special pet shampoos specifically designed to remove dander,
as well as the oils and proteins that can cause allergic reactions.
Fortunately, most dogs enjoy a bath (some even like to go into the
shower!) On the other hand, reducing allergens by bathing a cat is a
very different experience, as the scars on my arms would indicate.
You can also clean and dust your house with special products which
will neutralize the allergens on household surfaces (these products
will not harm your dog, but are not designed to apply directly to the
animal's coat.)
Here are some products that are applied to the pet:
Online Allergy Relief: Pet Dander Control Products
http://www.onlineallergyrelief.com/pets/pets.html
Allerx Allergy Products: Aller-Rx Pet Shampoo
http://www.allerx.com/alrxpets.htm
http://www.achooallergy.com/store.asp?categoryid=1016
Health Goods: Dander-Seal for Pets
http://www.healthgoods.com/Shopping/Allergen_Control_Products/Allergen_Treatments.asp
And here are two products that are used in housecleaning:
Allergy Warehouse: Allerdust, Allersearch ADS Allergen Spray
http://www.allergywarehouse.com/allergy-asthma-control-products.htm
My Google search strategy:
"pet" + "allergy"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=pet+allergy
"allergy" + "pet dander"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=allergy+%22pet+dander
"pet" + "allergy proofing"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=pet+%22allergy+proofing
I hope this gives you a good start on lessening those sniffles. In my
view, animals can give us so much pleasure that it is worth a little
extra expense to be able to enjoy their blessed presence in our lives.
Best wishes,
pinkfreud |
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