Close to 40 percent of people with asthma are sensitive to pet allergens. In spite of this, three-quarters of adult pet owners who are aware of their pet allergy choose to keep their furry friends. While cats and dogs are the primary culprits (since they are the most common household pets), any animal can give rise to an allergic response, including horses, mice, hamsters, rabbits and birds.
Animal saliva, blood and urine can all trigger allergic reactions, but the primary cause is pet dander - minute particles of skin shed by animals and birds. Dander is tiny enough to float invisibly through the air, sticking to anything en route, but particularly household upholstery and bedding. Clothes and vehicle upholstery also commonly harbour dander.
Doctors still advocate removing a pet from the household if someone is allergic to the pet and suffering asthma attacks as a result of that allergy. Nonetheless, doctors acknowledge that many people cannot bear to give up a pet. Here are some tips that will help reduce the number of pet allergens in the home:
- Ban pets from bedrooms and areas with soft upholstery such as the living room. If possible confine them to a specific area such as the kitchen.
- Always wash your hands after handling pets.
- Bathe pets regularly - twice weekly if possible. Have them groomed outside of your home to minimize dispersal of dander.
- Do not hug and kiss pets or hold them close to the face.
- Keep upholstered furniture to a minimum - hardwood floors are better than carpets and wipeable blinds are better than drapes.
- Vacuum daily using a model fitted with a high efficiency (HEPA) filter.
- Invest in an air purifier. Models fitted with a HEPA filter, available from London Drugs, will help trap pet dander and other allergenic particles.
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