You might think enjoying a wonderful life with a pet is impossible because you or a close family member suffers from a pet allergy. Having a pet allergy indeed does present challenges. However, having a pet may not be entirely out of the question.

Thanks to Pet allergy treatments and some understanding of your allergies, you may manage to have a lifelong companion with you. People suffering from pet allergies may show symptoms such as sneezing, itchy skin, watering eyes, coughing and wheezing whenever an animal comes near them. These symptoms can escalate to more severe complications like chronic asthma, chronic sinus headaches and infections, and nasal polyps.

What Are Pet Allergies?

Pet Allergies work similarly to any other type of allergy regarding our body’s response. Our immune system responds to allergens from pets and forms antibodies to fight them. This is what triggers pet allergies. In the case of pets, the protein found in their skin, urine and saliva can trigger various allergic reactions depending on your allergy.

Typical Symptoms include but are not limited to:

• coughing, wheezing, experiencing shortness of breath
• breaking out into a skin rash or hives
• developing itchy, swollen, teary, or red eyes or eyelids
• experiencing a runny, itchy, or stuffed-up nose

Pet allergies are caused by tiny skin particles or dander, but the symptoms can be similar to pollen or a dust allergy. Your pet moves around freely, so you can’t possibly control where the skin particles or dander may land in your home. However, there are some breeds of pet breeds that can cause more of an allergic reaction.

Hypoallergic Breeds

Let’s be clear: there is no such thing as a complete hypoallergenic breed of dog, cat or any other pet. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America confirms this. Instead, people can be allergic to certain breeds. Some breeds do indeed produce fewer allergens, but it is the reaction of your body that matters. That is why you should always spend time with the animal before keeping it as a pet.

How To Cope With Pet Allergies?

As we mentioned earlier, living with pets while allergic is never easy. However, if you are diligent enough, you can manage it. Here are some tips to limit your exposure to pet allergens.

Remove Allergen Shelters

Your house may be full of things that pet dander can find its way in. Thick carpets, drapes, overstuffed furniture and beddings are like caches for allergens. The more of these you have around your house, the more challenging time you will have eliminating allergens. Ideally, decorate your house with blinds and leather furniture.

Air ducts and filters are other sources that trap, store, and spread dander throughout your house or building. Change filters often. If possible, use separate ventilation systems for pet-friendly rooms and your bedroom.

Clean The House

Keep your house, bedding, furniture and clothes clean. Pet dander can stick on almost all clothing and furniture. Make sure you are frequently washing and drying your clothes. It would also be wise to purchase a vacuum with a micro-filtration bag or is HEPA filter-equipped.

Also, advise any visitors not to wear clothing which has been close to any sort of pet. Because otherwise, it can thwart your efforts to keep your house allergen-free.

Bathe Your Pet

You can reduce your pet’s allergen load up to 85% with weekly washes. It is hard work washing your pet, especially if they have not been accustomed to water from a young age. But if you are allergic and plan on getting a pet, our advice would be to get a young pet and begin the habit of a bath from the beginning.

Ask a non-allergic family member to bathe the pet if possible. Gloves may be helpful as well. Find out which soaps and shampoos are the best by asking your veterinarian. However, make sure to avoid giving baths too regularly. It can have the opposite result by drying out your pet’s skin and increasing dander production.

Create Pet-Free Zones

The best and most efficient answer on how to deal with pet dander is to simply have your pet in specific areas of your house. Keep your pets out of your bedroom at all times and close your door while you sleep. You may also give your bed extra protection by covering it. Dust mite coverings are available for your pillow, mattress and blanket. This will help in blocking out pet allergens as well as dust mites, another possible allergy cause. As an added precaution, purchase a small fence for your bedroom door, so your animal cannot enter it when you are not there.

Speak with your veterinarian

Your pet’s food can be prescribed by your veterinarian to be high in vitamins and minerals that can assist your pet’s skin in maintaining moisture and reducing shedding. Pets may get the same benefits from omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that people do.

Pet Allergy Treatment

All these tips mentioned above will help you limit your exposure to pet allergens in your house. These are effective but may not always be the complete solution for you. In that case, you may need to opt-in for medications or treatments. These tend to include immunotherapy (allergy shots), steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays and antihistamine medicines. The antihistamine medications are particularly convenient and widely available today, and you can quickly get them from your local pharmacy or even order them online. These include Fexofenadine, Cetirizine, Loratadine and Piriton. Decongestants and antihistamines medicines are usually enough to manage your allergy symptoms. If not, you should see a doctor. They may suggest different medications or even immunotherapy.

IQ Doctor

If you are looking for pharmaceutical options for your pet allergies, IQ Doctor is the place for you. They are a UK pharmacy fully licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Whether it’s Fexofenadine, Cetirizine, Loratadine or Piriton, they have theallergy medications you may need. You can visit their website and get a free consultation with one of their medical professionals to determine what medicine may suit you best. Once you place your order, the medication will get to you in quick time.