Top 11 Ways To Reduce Pet Allergies

Top 11 Ways To Reduce Pet Allergies Photo © Orhan Çam – Fotolia.com

We found a great article listing 11 ways to reduce pet allergies. The link is after our introduction.

Pet ownership can (alas) be a double-edged sword…. While pets of course offer a wide array of wonderful benefits such as companionship, security, and amusement to their owners, some people experience the delight, warmth, and friendship from their pets with an unfortunate detraction: allergies!

Itchy, watery eyes, constant sneezing, and a stuffy and runny nose that would make you the twin brother of Rudolf the Reindeer – all of these allergic symptoms could be enough to ruin a day ahead of you. Asthmatics get the worst here: they can suffer from chest tightness and difficulty in breathing.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), a nonprofit organization that concerns itself in seeking means to cure or control asthma and allergies, around 60 million of US citizens suffer from allergies and asthma. It is that many! Some of these guys are avid animal lovers who regard their pets as nothing short of a family member or best friend. In other words, if you advise them to find new homes for their pets and abandon the idea of living with them under the same roof, you might end up trying your hardest…

Allergens are proteins that, upon contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and airways, cause an allergic reaction as soon as the immune system recognizes their presence. The immune system perceives allergens as a threat and vigorously attempts to free the body from such threat. Allergens can originate from skin cells, saliva, or even urine of household pets. Exposure to the dead skin our pets shed (referred to as “dander”) is one of the most common triggers of an allergic reaction. Although many people think it is the fur that is the problem – the hair of our four-legged furry pals is often not the cause, and thus, surprisingly, having short-haired cats or dogs at home is just the same as keeping long-haired ones as regards allergies. The hair however can carry other non-pet allergens such as dust, mold, or pollen.

For a complete and detailed guide on allergies caused by animals, listing 11 great tips to diminish their effect, the reader is referred to: http://www.paw-rescue.org/allergies.php

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Top 11 Ways To Reduce Allergies To Pets
Graphic – lovable-cats.com. Image © Orhan Çam – fotolia.com (under license)