Living with pet allergies must be incredibly frustrating.
I am extremely fortunate to have never suffered from pet allergies myself, but I know many others who have. They turn all red and itchy, and they can't stop sniffling.
Since I have pets, I always vacuum before guests come to my home and I offer some allergy medication, but sometimes they simply have to decline my invite. After all, there's no way that I could ever live without my pet.
For those who are allergic to their own pets, I salute you. You suffer for the sake of the bond and the love you share with your animal. Perhaps you adopted a dog from a shelter, or found a stray cat on the street with eyes you just couldn't say no to. That's awesome, and you deserve a gold medal.
But now what? How do you coexist with a lovely creature that makes you feel so yucky? Are there any pet allergy treatments for your problem?
These 10 things will definitely help you enjoy the company of your fur baby much more. (And may help ensure that your pet doesn't suffer from allergies too.)
Obviously, allergies and allergic reactions should be taken very seriously. As always, make sure to consult your doctor before making any health decisions or trying out these tips!
Let us know if we missed anything in the comments and please SHARE with fellow allergy-prone pet owners on Facebook!
Thumbnail source: Flickr / Jeremy Noble
1. Restrict Her To Rooms With Wooden Floors
If you close the doors to rooms with carpeting, you'll reduce the amount of dander that gets deeply embedded into the carpets, according to Health.com.
2. Have Her Sleep In Her Own Bed, Not Yours
Yes, it's tempting to get nice and cozy with your fur baby, but it's best to keep your pet out of your bedroom, or at the very least, out of your bed. Those hours away from the dander can really do wonders for your allergies. Get your pet a nice comfy alternative to your bed that they'll love just as much.
3. Shower Often
You should shower often, especially after you've pet or snuggled with your animal. Getting the dander and allergens off of your skin as soon as possible will keep you happier.
4. Don't Just Vacuum The Floors
Vacuum your couches, your throw pillows, your curtains, or anything that will hold onto dander whenever you vacuum your floor or carpeting. Also remember to give each of those things a good wash whenever you can!
Other methods that work for fibrous furniture are wiping with a dry rubber glove or a damp towel. Vacuuming, however, is simple because you've already got it out when you're doing the floors!
5. Use Essential Oils To Your Advantage
Different essential oils can do different things to help you cope with your allergies. For example, peppermint oil is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic, and will help you with respiratory issues when you inhale the fumes. There are quite a few oils you can use to help battle your pet allergies, but always be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
6. Close The Air Registers
If you have central air in your home, you can close the air registers to reduce the amount of hair that is blown into a given room. You should also replace your air filter frequently.
You can consider getting a separate air purifier for your home, especially for the rooms in which the allergy-prone folks sleep.
7. Give Her A Bath
A study done in the United Kingdom showed that bathing your dog twice a week will reduce allergens. That seems like a lot of dog washing, but the more often, the better for your allergies.
However, while a bath can be good in the case of a cat as well, you should beware. Some cats don't mind it, but others will give you a good scratching if you try to put them in water. In these cases, it's best to just let them bathe themselves with their tongue, something they do anyway.
8. Utilize Pet Wipes
Pet wipes are also a great way to get rid of dander and saliva on a pet in between baths. These wipes are also especially good for cat owners whose felines won't get in the water.
9. Look Into Over-The-Counter Antihistamines
As with all medications, even over-the-counter ones, you should always talk to your doctor before taking them. Antihistamines can really help out with allergies when you can't let go of your precious pet.
10. Consider A Long-Term Solution
Allergy shots, or immunotherapy, can make your symptoms go away altogether over time. When exposed to the allergens in the shot, your body works up a resistance to them. The catch here is that you have to be really invested, as it's a years-long process.
Having a conversation with someone who specializes in allergies and understands how they work can also be incredibly beneficial to your situation. If you take the time to talk to an allergist about your specific situation, your routine, and your needs and restrictions, the two of you will be able to come up with a specialized plan just for you.
Do you have a pet allergy but aren't ready to give up your pet? Did we miss any helpful tips? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with family and friends on Facebook!
