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Sneezes and Wheezes:
Living with Pets and Allergies
Pets and allergies . . . they have long been a feared combination. As
we all know, pet hair and other pet triggers can make allergies and
asthma worse. However, while it is a delicate balance without the
proper medicines and techniques, with a few helpful hints and tips,
the two of you can share a lifelong friendship all while keeping your
allergies at bay.
Have an Allergy Panel Test
If you don’t have an allergist, ask your family doctor to refer you to
one in the area. An allergy panel test is a great step in finding the
triggers that aggravate your allergies and ultimately learning to
manage the symptoms of your allergies or asthma. The test is
relatively painless and feels like a finger nail scratch at best.
The nurse will simply scratch a few places on your skin and then
introduce an allergy stimulant such as grass or dog hair. If you have
a reaction – don’t worry. You will not have any internal
symptoms such as wheezing or swelling. Your skin will simply react by
producing a small rash in the area that was treated.
After you know your triggers, the doctor can help you control them
with inhalers, anti-histamines and any emergency medicines you may
require.
Clean Your Pet’s Crate Often
While you should clean your pet’s crate often anyway, if you have
allergies you should clean it even more than the average pet owner. If
possible, have someone else in the house, preferably without
allergies, do this for you. Doing this will keep your symptoms to a
minimum.
But why will simply cleaning out puppy’s crate help? Crates don’t
usually catch much pet hair, right? While this is correct, often
times, a person is not allergic to their pet’s hair . . . it’s often
the other triggers that come with pets such as dander and urine that
send them into sneeze mode.
Vacuum Daily
When you have an indoor pet, allergens can build up quickly -
especially in carpets. Make sure that you are vacuuming daily to get
rid of hairs and dander.
Keep Your Sleeping Space Sacred
While we all know that snuggling up with a furry pet makes for one
cozy night’s rest, it is not ideal for an allergy sufferer. Keep your
sleeping quarters sacred and don’t allow your pet into your bedroom.
This will give you a safe haven when allergies appear and ensure that
you can sleep without having to worry about asthma attacks or running
noses and itchy eyes.
When
it comes to allergies and pets, the two can live in harmony with just
a little patience and diligence. And in the end . . . sneezes and all,
the love you share will be well worth the effort.
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