More than 70% of households in the U.S. have at least one cat or dog. It is also true that 10% of American have some form of animal allergy.
Pets are such an important aspect of our lives. They offer us great companionship and they can help to reduce stress. People who are allergic to pet dander need to know that there are risks associated with various pets and how to reduce being exposed to pet dander.
What is Pet Dander?
It is among the most significant forms of environmental allergens. Being exposed to this allergen causes the sinuses to become inflamed, which can result in sinus headaches, pressure, and pain.
Bathing your pet every week can help to reduce the shedding and dander that contain the irritants in your pet’s fur. When you bathe the animal it also washes away pollen and grass that is contained in their fur that may irritate your sinus.
Pet dander is related to the health condition called sinusitis due to the allergens that are contained on your pet, mainly in their urine, saliva, and fur. Their skin flakes and danger may cause allergic reactions and that in turn can cause runny nose and eyes, wheezing, and sneezing. Therefore, pet dander removal is critical.
There are several misconceptions regarding pet dander. First of all, it is very important to know that animal fur is not the most significant irritant, but instead, it is the mold, dust, pollen, and dead skin cells that are buried deep within the fur. Also, there is no such thing as a non-allergenic breed of dog or cat that eliminates allergens completely.
Tips To Help You Control Pet Dander
- Keep your pet out of your bedroom. During the spring, summer and fall try keeping your pet outside when possible. Restricting your pet to only certain rooms in the house can also help to control places where there is dander present.
- Remind family members and guests who have serious dander allergies to avoid coming in contact with your pet’s fur or their saliva.
- If your house has upholstered furniture, don’t allow your pet on it, to help reduce the transfer of dander.
- Thoroughly clean and wash your hands and face after you play with your pet.
- Buy an anti-allergen dust spray to use when cleaning to help minimize the allergens in your house.
- Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner when cleaning. They suck up more allergens, dander, and dust than a regular vacuum cleaner.
- Consider having hardwood floors installed instead of carpeting to help reduce the amount of allergens that can tend to build up in carpets if you are allergic to pet dander.
If there are no animals present but you are still suffering from symptoms you usually experience when there is an animal in the room, then there might still be pet dander contained in the area which is causing you issues. Common public areas such as restaurants, schools, and office spaces might have pet dander that is been brought in by people on their clothing.
