The symptoms of an animal dander allergy can be alleviated somewhat – Shutterstock / Image Point Fr
Around ten percent of the German population suffer from an animal hair allergy. This usually only develops in the course of life, when people come into increased contact with animals. This is especially annoying when someone turns out to be allergic to their own pet. But the beloved animal doesn’t have to move out for a long time. You can reduce your allergy symptoms with a few simple steps.
An allergy to animal hair is reflected in various overreactions of the body. Affected people sneeze, their eyes water and their skin starts to itch – a real tragedy for loving pet owners. However, if you follow the tips below, it is possible to reduce allergy symptoms.
1. Hard floor instead of carpet
The alpha and omega of an animal hair allergy is hygiene. The harder you make it for pet hair to cling to fibers and furnishings, the better off you’ll be. Therefore, when choosing the floor, always opt for laminate or floorboards, which you can quickly vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth. Carpet is rather counterproductive.
2. Intensive animal care
But not only the floors should be cleaned regularly. Clean the litter box or litter box of feces and urine daily – this prevents the allergens contained in them from drying out and spreading into the air. Also, brush your cat or dog outdoors every day to keep as much hair out of your home as possible.
3. Air regularly
The winter time is particularly stressful for people with animal hair allergies. The heater air dries the saliva left on the pet’s coat from grooming, which increases the airborne protein that triggers pet dander allergy symptoms. The same applies to the urine from the litter box or in the litter of the cage. It is therefore particularly important in winter to ventilate regularly and, if necessary, to use room air filters that also increase the humidity.
4. Set up animal-free zones
With an animal hair allergy, dogs, cats or small animals have no place in the bedroom. In this way, set up rooms in your own four walls where you are not exposed to allergens – this way you can really relax without having to sneeze all the time.
5. Drugs and desensitization
Mild symptoms of an animal dander allergy can be relieved with medicines called antihistamines. They are available in tablet form, but also as nasal sprays and eye drops. If the symptoms become too severe, but you still don’t want to give your beloved pet away, then one way of getting your own immune system used to pet dander is to desensitize it. The doctor injects the patient with increasing minimum doses of the allergen over a period of three years. With a bit of luck, the symptoms can be alleviated in this way until the patient no longer reacts and can cuddle with his four-legged friend undisturbed.
You might also be interested in these topics about dog and cat ownership:
Dog allergy: triggers and symptoms
Cat allergy: what works and what doesn’t?
Cats for allergy sufferers: does that exist?
