It will seem horribly unfair to any child who suffers withallergies that they cannot have a pet or must loose one whom theyhave grown attached to. Is there a way to deal with pet allergieswhich may lessen or even eliminate the suffering for adults andchildren with allergies?

WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO?

By establishing whether the animal is actually the cause of anallergy is certainly the best starting point. However, that canbe a difficult task if you already have an animal since theallergens are extremely difficult to remove entirely.

If an existing pet can be removed and the home thoroughly cleaned(carpets, walls, furniture etc.) you MAY be able to verify theallergy in several months. Obviously that is not the easiestsolution.

Having the child stay with a friend or relative for a week (aslong as there are no pets in the home) may show an improvementthat might indicate an allergy to the family pet.

A visit to the doctor can confirm an allergy with a simple test.The tests vary, but some can be mildly uncomfortable and wouldprobably not be considered if the allergy symptoms were mild.

Some allergy symptoms are compounded by exposure to severalallergens. By identifying other sources and removing them you mayfind the reaction to pets is lessened and not a barrier toenjoying their presence.

CREATING AN ALLERGY FRIENDLY HOME

There are several steps you can take to reduce the build up ofallergens and bring relief to allergy sufferers.

The first recommendation is to have hardwood or other smoothsurface for your flooring. Carpets hold far more of the particlesthat cause allergies and hard flooring makes it easy to clean.

Leather furniture is also ideal for homes with pet allergies. Forthe same reason as hard flooring is more suitable than carpet,leather holds far less allergens than fabric.

Keep a seat for the allergy sufferer that pets are not allowed tosit on. Also be certain that animals do not sleep on the beds orenter the bedrooms of allergy sufferers. Consider keeping thesleeping area of the home as a pet-free zone.

MAKING YOUR PET AS HYPO-ALLERGENIC AS POSSIBLE

There are even things you can do with your pet to reduce theallergic effects of having them in your home.

Frequent grooming and bathing with a mild soap to prevent overdrying will reduce the dander that is one of the main causes ofpet allergies. It would be recommended that someone withoutallergies take on this task.

Washing hands after playing with a pet and avoiding touching yourface with unwashed hands will also help. Since some individualsare also allergic to the saliva of pets it would be sensible tonot allow your pet to lick you.

In the case of more serious allergies or asthma it may be bestthat no pet share the home. For older children or adults it maybe possible to find a medication or treatment which makes thesituation tolerable if they prefer to keep the pet despite theallergy.  The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.

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