Little-Known Facts about Pet Allergies Articles | Allergies

Your throat is having that scratchy feeling; your head is pounding and you are on a sneezing trip. This happens every time you are near a cat or a dog. What is it about these loving creatures that drives you nuts and throws your immune system completely out of gear?

Here are some of the little-known facts about pet allergies:

• The truth of the matter is that fur is not the root of the problem; it is the proteins which are secreted by the oil glands and shed with dander which triggers pet allergies. Found mostly in pet saliva, these proteins are transferred on to their skin and hair when they lick themselves. This is the root of all problems.

• These allergens are inhaled into the lungs or land on the lining of the eyes or the nose – and that results in allergic reactions.

• The severity of reactions from pet allergies depends on the state of your immune system. There are people who suffer mild reactions with only a running nose or sneezing and there are some who have very severe reactions which affect their breathing and can be life-threatening.

• Reactions from pet allergies need not become apparent immediately. There are cases where people start showing symptoms even after 12 hours have elapsed. This makes it doubly difficult to get to the root of the problem and find out what caused it.

• The truth is that there is no breed of ‘non-allergenic’ dogs or cats. Some types of pets shed less, which could prove to be less allergenic to some people.

• The thumb rule is that people who have pet allergies react more with cats than dogs.

• It is not necessary that a person who has pet allergies will react only in the presence of a pet. In fact, pet allergens can remain in the environment long after the animal has been removed. This makes the task of finding the cause of allergic reactions very difficult, since there is no pet in the immediate environment.

• To remove all pet allergens from the environment, a thorough cleaning of the upholstery, rugs, carpets, curtains, etc is necessary, after the removal of the pet.

If you are a true pet lover and wish to keep a pet in the house, despite your pet allergies, consult an allergy specialist who can show you ways to cope with your allergic reactions with a pet around the house. This will ensure that you enjoy your pet as well as keep your allergy under control. It is definitely possible for both of you to co-exist in the same premises, even if you have dander allergies. All you need to ensure is that you live in a dander-free environment and this can only be possible with regular cleaning of your home, pet zones etc. You must keep a pet-free zone in the house, where you can go, relax and breathe easy, without having to worry about allergy attacks.