It is a common thing for many households to have pets at home. In fact, there are also a lot of owners who allow their pets to sleep beside them every night. Indeed, pets are easily part of the family as if they are humans. However, this may not always be the case.

For one thing, pet allergies are a real thing. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America revealed that around 15 to 30 percent of Americans have some kind of pet allergies. Being allergic to dogs and cats are some of the most popular causes of allergies among humans. They have no choice but to avoid having any furry pets at home and visit an allergist specialist for any presence of allergic reactions.

Common causes of pet allergies

A 2009-2010 report by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association revealed that 60 percent of American households own pets, many of which have dogs, cats, or both. Unfortunately, the majority of these pet owners also suffer from pet allergies. If you are one of them, it is best to visit an allergy physician to help manage your allergic symptoms.

For starters, allergies occur due to the immune system’s overreaction to certain allergens or triggers. In this case, people with pet allergies have a sensitivity to pet dander, urine, or saliva. Once these come into contact with the allergic person, it triggers the immune system to overreact and cause allergic symptoms.

Contrary to popular belief, pet fur does not cause the allergic reaction itself. Rather, it is the dust, dander, saliva, urine, and pollen that are accumulated on the fur that causes allergic reactions. Even if you don’t have pets at home, there is still a possibility that a visitor might carry pet allergens through their clothes. If you are allergic to pets, make sure to visit an allergy clinic near you for proper treatment.

Common symptoms of pet allergies

Pet allergens can irritate your nose and eyes that cause itching and sneezing. Other common symptoms of pet allergies are the following.

• Stuffy nose/post-nasal drip
• Watery eyes
• Skin irritation (redness, rashes, hives, etc.)
• Coughing
• Itchy throat or the roof of the mouth
• Facial pains
• Breathing difficulties
• Chest pains or tightening
• Wheezing sound when breathing
• Insomnia
• Asthma attacks
• Eczema (especially among children)

Meanwhile, there is a common misconception that exposing a baby to a pet can trigger pet allergies later on. Some of you might find it horrifying to see a dog going near a newborn. However, this may not be the case for many dog owners.

A report from the Journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology revealed that a newborn baby’s exposure to pets may even protect them from developing allergies in the future.

Managing pet allergies

The first important step to avoid pet allergies is not to get a pet at all. While there are so-called “hypoallergenic dogs”, it may not guarantee owners not experiencing any allergic reactions later on. If you want to know more about this, you can consult an allergist before getting a house pet.

Meanwhile, there are some medications that are usually prescribed to counter allergy and asthma symptoms due to pet allergies. These treatments are the following.

• Decongestants (available in nasal or oral forms)
• Antihistamines (popular brands include Benadryl, Allegra, and Claritin)
• Allergy shots (usually given by an allergy specialist for more serious allergic cases)
• Nasal corticosteroids (helps in reducing inflammation and managing allergic symptoms)
• Montelukast (given to those who cannot tolerate corticosteroids and antihistamines)
• Saline solution (a natural remedy that helps in clearing nasal passages)

Lifestyle changes may also be necessary if you want to reduce the occurrence of pet allergies. Here are some tips you can do to lessen the presence of allergens that can trigger pet allergies.

• Use HEPA purifiers to help reduce the presence of airborne allergens at home.
• Uninstall home fixtures that can attract pet allergens such as carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
• Consider getting a hypoallergenic dog. However, make sure to consult an allergy expert first before doing so.
• Set up a dog-free zone (such as bedrooms) to avoid allergen contamination in other rooms.

Love your pets, but love yourself, too!

Dogs are man’s best friends, and so are other kinds of pet, too. They all deserve to be loved and be taken care of. There is still a chance that you can own a pet, but it is better to consult an allergy physician in Manassas VA first to avoid the adverse effects of pet allergies.