Pet Allergy Information
Pet allergy can range from mild symptoms to a quite debilitating condition that can even be triggered by going into a house where a cat used to live. Symptoms can range from wheezing and asthma, allergic rhinitis or a skin rash caused by contact with the pet. More people seem to be allergic to cats than dogs and the cat allergen is lighter than that of a dog and therefore stays airborne for longer.
If you do suffer from pet allergy you may not be able to have a pet at home or you may have had to give your pet away. We know how miserable that can be. We also know that having a pet allergy can restrict where you can go. We have found that the allergy sprays and the pet allergy sprays make a huge difference to the severity of the symptoms both from inhalant and contact allergies.
Sometimes one person's pet allergy will prevent the rest of the household from having a pet. If you suffer from pet allergy yourself this can make you feel quite guilty and the rest of the family may feel resentful because your condition prevents them from having a pet!
Pet Allergy
"Specialist doctors estimate that up to a third of people with allergies are sensitive to pets, birds and other animals." Pet allergy can be one of the hardest allergies to deal with because it involves an emotional attachment to the pet. If there are allergic people in the family we do not recommend that you introduce a new pet. Living with the disappointment of not having a pet is preferable to having to remove the pet or living for many years with the consequences of having a pet in an allergic household.
What causes pet allergy?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the hair of cats and dogs that cause a problem, but a protein allergen that is in the sweat and saliva. Because it is small and very light, it can remain airborne for up to many hours. In cats the potent allergen is Fel d 1 and in dogs the potent allergen is Can f 1. Cats produce by far the most allergen. "Dogs produce less allergen than cats, and it seems to be less potent" but again it is small and light-weight and can remain airborne for many hours. The production of allergens increases as the pet matures so that kittens and puppies may be tolerated but mature cats and dogs may not. With smaller pets such as hamsters and mice the allergen is normally present in the urine and becomes airborne. Reptiles shed skin scales that contain allergen and these again can become airborne.
Symptoms of pet allergy
Any animal with fur or feathers can cause breathing difficulties, wheezing and coughing, streaming and puffy eyes, hives and skin irritation, eczema and asthma.
What to do if you are allergic to your pet
Ideally the pet should be removed but, for obvious reasons, many people are very reluctant to do this. If you decide to take this route then even after the pet has been moved to a new home the allergen can remain on soft furnishings, in sofas and bedding and even on shelves and walls. Ideally the house should be thoroughly cleaned and anything that can be washed should be washed; this should include duvets and pillows if the cat has been sleeping on your bed (always check that these are washable). A high efficiency vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter should be used to vacuum floors, sofas and beds.
If parting with your pet is just unbearable then other more stringent measures need to be taken:
- The pet should be kept out of the bedroom if at all possible, or confined to one part of the house. A surfactant based lotion can be rubbed onto the pet weekly to reduce the allergens on the coat of the animal. The PetalCleanse we sell is ideal for this purpose.
- Vigorous cleaning strategies should include vacuuming with a high efficiency vacuum cleaner and damp dusting. Wash any washable fabric cushions and pillows and keep carpets and furnishings to a minimum. Use the HomeCare range to neutralise allergens in the air, on furnishings and in the washing.
- Ventilate the house as much as possible.
- Use an air cleaner either with a HEPA filter or one of the other high quality air cleaners available. This will remove the allergen from the air and help to maintain lower levels of allergen in the environment.
- When near the pet or when cleaning (as this can release the allergen from carpets etc into the air) a mask can help.
Disclaimer
Information included in this website is intended for information purposes only and is not to be used as a substitute for consultation with a medical practitioner.
