"Pet Allergies - What Causes Them and Lifestyle Changes That Can Help"

This can make owning a pet extremely difficult, perhaps impossible.

On this page, I discuss the causes of allergies, some tips for handling them, and some herbs that may help with this problem.

An allergic reaction is caused when your immune system reacts to small, allergy-triggering proteins in your pet's fur, called allergens.

These allergens are secreted by glands on a pet's skin, and float easily in the air. Also, they can be found in a pet's saliva.

Allergens can also originate from dead skin cells the animals shed called dander.

Dander can be a persistent problem, as its particles are very small, and are prone to remain airborne for long periods. As a result, dander sticks easily to clothing and upholstered furniture.

When your body detects an allergen, it will produce an antibody, a specific protein in your blood whose sole purpose is to combat it.

Once this happens, your immune system will initiate an immune system response, each time you inhale a particular allergen.

Pet allergies can cause two types of immune system responses in your lungs.

First, they may cause inflammation in the airways of your lungs.

Or, alternatively, they may cause sudden, severe constriction of the airways. This is called a bronchospasm.

There are certain breeds of dogs, however, that are considered hypoallergenic. These animals are less likely to trigger an allergic response, as they don't shed fur.

Allergens are rarely present in animals that do not have fur, such as birds and reptiles.

To determine if you have allergies, remove your pets from your household for at least two months, cleaning your house every week.

Be patient, it may take many months for animal allergens to lose their strength. Make sure there are periods where your windows are open, allowing air to flow in from outside.

You should remove all pet items from your house, thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming all surfaces. If your symptoms disappear, you probably have them. If they remain, you probably don't, and are allergic to something else.

• Hay fever
• Itchy and watering eyes
• Asthma symptoms, including coughing and wheezing. Also, if you have asthma, you may have difficulty breathing, or experience pain in your chest with a wheezing sound when you breathe.
• A red rash
• A runny nose or nasal congestion
• Postnasal drip
• Swelling underneath your eyes
• Pressure and pain in your face
• Allergic dermatitis. Allergic dermatitis is an immune system reaction to an allergen that produces inflammation of the skin.
• Hives

He may first recommend you have an allergy skin test, to determine precisely what you're allergic to. You may be referred to an allergy specialist for this test.

With this type of test, tiny droplets of allergens are pricked into your skin, usually around your forearm.

After about 15 minutes, your doctor will come back to examine the area, looking for signs of an allergic reaction.

He may also recommend a blood test. This type of test will be used to determine the presence of IgE, a type of immunoglobulin found only in humans, and is associated with the allergic response.

This test may be able to check for the presence of more than 400 allergens in the blood.

Your physician will also check how well your lungs are functioning by listening to and watching you breathe.

Additionally, if he suspects you have asthma, he may test your lung function using a device called a spirometer.

• Keep your dogs out of your bedroom
• Don't allow your pets to jump on your furniture
• Regarding cats, keep the litter box in an isolated area, where the litter box won't be affected by the air conditioner system
• Designate one area of your house to be pet-free, where you can go to breathe cleaner, less dander-saturated air
• Be sure to bathe and brush your pet often in plain water
• Use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) cleaner in your house
• Replace or remove upholstered furniture. Plastic or wooden furniture is best
• If you can, replace existing bedding, as pet allergens are difficult to wash away completely
• Avoid using cotton or woolen blankets
• Whenever possible, keep your pet outdoors
• Be sure to wash your hands frequently after touching your pet
• Don't allow smoking in your house
• Regularly steam clean or vacuum any fabrics or carpets were allergens could accumulate. Be patient, as it can take up to 20 weeks of cleaning and vacuuming to reduce the level of allergens equal to what would be found in a pet-free household

Garlic - Both garlic and onions contain high levels of quercetin that function to minimize allergic reactions

Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo biloba contains several ingredients that interfere with the production of certain chemicals the body produces that trigger allergies. These chemicals are called platelet-activating factors

Nettle - Nettle is often used as a treatment for numerous respiratory ailments

I once had a beautiful collie that I became extremely attached to. It would have been very difficult indeed, to part with him, if I had problems with allergies. Luckily, I didn't.

However, several members of my family had problems with pet allergies. Their allergies were so severe; they were unable to visit us for long periods, as it would trigger their allergy problems.

It is estimated that more than 70% of all United States households have a cat or dog. If you do, and have trouble with pet allergies, I hope that the above-mentioned suggestions will help.