Many people across the globe experience allergies year-round. One of the more common environmental allergies that can trouble someone every season of the year is allergies to pets. While any animal can cause an allergic reaction, it has been noted that cats tend to be the most common culprit causing allergic reactions. There are many misconceptions about pet allergies, but many people can agree that the symptoms caused by pet allergies are less than desirable.

The Cause of Pet Allergies

One of the main misconceptions about pet allergies is that the allergy is triggered by the fur of the pet. This leads to the idea that pets with less or even no fur will cause fewer allergies. While not false, the leading cause of pet allergies comes from dead skin cells, commonly known as dander. They enter the body, and the immune system treats them as foreign bodies. Still, pet dander can be found on loose pet fur; however, it is found in many other locations, such as in the air. While precautions can be taken to reduce the allergens in the air and on surfaces, they cannot be fully contained.

How To Reduce Pet Allergens

Unfortunately, if you want to live with a pet, their dander is guaranteed to be present in your living space. You can take a few steps to help reduce the dander they create. The two main methods revolve around managing the pet or managing your living space.

Depending on your pet and what is appropriate for you and them, you can create a specific routine to help keep your living space ideal to reduce pet allergens. One main way to reduce allergens around your living space is to create dedicated areas where your pet isn’t allowed in your house. It is good to remember that pet dander can travel in the air. You can also dedicate an outside area for your pet, where they can spend time and reduce the amount of dander inside your living space. Giving pets the occasional bath can help reduce the dead skin they carry and spread into their area.

You can also take certain precautions and add or remove furniture in your house to create a better place to stay with reduced pet allergens. Some furniture and carpets can trap pet dander, which will increase your allergic reactions and the severity of these reactions due to the increased volume of the dander. Air purifiers are also an incredible way to trap pet dander in a container to reduce the amount in the surrounding air.

How To Reduce Allergic Reactions

When it comes to allergic reactions, there are a few ways to reduce their severity or frequency. Two main methods to reduce the reactions are reducing the allergens or taking medicine. Cleaning yourself and your clothes is the best way to help reduce allergic reactions to pet dander. More pet dander over an extended period of time can cause more defined reactions. Taking breaks in fresh air, especially outside, can also allow new, cleaner air to circulate through your body and reduce allergic reactions. Remember to be wary about pollen allergies, as that could cause the allergic reaction to worsen instead.

You can buy over-the-counter antihistamines at many stores. Nasal spray and decongestants can also be used to treat respiratory symptoms specifically. On a more severe level, visit a doctor or specialist and get an allergy test. Making sure allergies cause symptoms is essential to treating them. You can also pursue a dedicated treatment to help reduce allergies through injections.

Pets are a part of the family and are treated as such. However, allergic reactions to pets can inhibit our day-to-day lives. Taking these steps is one of the many ways you can work towards helping reduce these issues. However, sometimes, we need a longer break from our pets. Whether it’s taking a vacation or deep cleaning your living space to reduce those pesky allergies, Hillrose Pet Resort offers pet boarding to give your pet a place to stay while you get some well-deserved relief from these troubles. Also, Hillrose Pet Resort offers pet baths to help reduce pet dander.