In my previous blog I stated what it means to be allergic to your pet, or your housemate’s pet, and shared a few facts about this condition. As promised, this blog will focus on causes, symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment of pet allergies. (A link to my previous blog can be found at the bottom of the page)

So let me jump right into it… Causes: the immune system’s job is to protect us from harmful viruses and diseases. In people with pet allergies, the immune system is more sensitive than in people without the allergies. What this means is that the immune system reacts to perfectly harmless proteins that can be found in the pet’s dander, saliva, or urine. The proteins that cause the allergic reaction are called allergens.

The symptoms of pet allergies differ depending on the allergen levels in the air and the immune system’s sensitivity. For example if you are allergic to cats and you go in a house that is cleaned daily and only has one cat, your symptoms would be less noticeable than if you go into a house with 10 cats. Also, if you and your friend are both allergic to dogs and you both enter the same house with one dog, your symptoms will be lighter than your friend’s if his immune system is more sensitive than yours. Actually, if your immune system sensitivity is very low, you might not experience any symptoms or the symptoms might appear days after the initial contact.

Most common symptoms of pet allergies include stuffy nose, inflamed or watery eyes, and swelling and itching of the membranes that line the eyes and nose. More severe symptoms are observed in patients with very sensitive immune systems if allergens are inhaled and make their way to the lungs. This can cause severe breathing problems like shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. Rashes can also appear in those highly allergic. For about 25% of people with asthma, cat allergies can trigger severe attacks. Not only that, but cat allergens can help the condition evolve to chronic asthma.

In order to properly diagnose an allergy, your doctor will look at your medical history, do a blood test, and maybe require you move into an allergen free environment for observation. Just getting rid of your pet is never the solution since allergens can remain in your house for months after the pet is gone.

The easiest way to keep from having an allergy attack is to keep away from pets that can cause symptoms. If you are allergic but want a pet, try going for fish or snakes. Keep pets out of your house and keep your visits to friends’ houses where there are pets to a minimum.

However, what to do if you love your cat or dog but are allergic?! Keep the pet away from your bedroom. Humans spend approximately one third of their time at home in their bedroom. So, make sure the pet cannot enter the room and clean aggressively. It is recommended by medics to get rid of carpets and tapestries around the room since allergens can stick to these surfaces. If you have a two-story home and your bedroom is upstairs, try keeping the pet away from the second floor completely. For the rest of your house try again to keep floors and walls are bare as possible so allergens have less surface to stick to. If you have carpets, steam-clean them frequently and wear a dust mask when vacuuming. Another important step is at least once a week have a person without allergies brush your pet outside so that they get rid of most allergens. Lat but not least, if you have central air heating/cooling system use a radiator in your bedroom and cover the vents as air vents are known to spread allergens throughout the house.

When Your Roommate Is Allergic To Your Pet… Part 1

http://www.medichatmd.com/blogs/when-your-roommate-is-allergic-to-your-pet-.html