| By :
Debbie Davis
As a pet lover, you know that pets help make a house a home. But warm-blooded pets all shed dander as a natural part of their growth and development. Unfortunately, if you are at all sensitive, it can trigger miserable allergy symptoms. Here are 5 things you can do to lessen the effect that pet allergies have on you. Create A Pet-Free Zone---We both know this is easier said than done, but it can really mean the difference between keeping your pet and enjoying it, or being miserable all the time and possibly having to find a new home for it. The space where your pet is not allowed to go is going to have less dander, hair, and pet-related irritants. Being able to relax here will give your body some down time that it needs to rejuvenate. It will also let you relax emotionally because you know that you are less likely to have a flare-up because the air has fewer triggers. Clean Frequently---With a warm-blooded pet you are never going to get rid of all of the hair, dander, and fur. But with regular and thorough cleaning to can greatly reduce the number of allergens which will give you relief from symptoms. Bathe Your Pet---In some cases this works well, but you will have to decide whether this is a feasible option based on your individual pet. Consulting with a veterinarian before you begin bathing is crucial. Bathing your pet can sometimes lessen the amount of dander it shed. And since it is the protein in the dander that is such a potent allergy trigger, anything you can do to get rid of it is worth a try. The right kind of cleanser and the frequency are crucial to your pet's health. Using the wrong kind of product can cause health problems for your pet, and can make the dander situation worse. Some pets will object to this regimen more than others. So you will have to weigh the possible benefits against your pet's possible disdain for baths. Launder Bedding Weekly---Dust mites, another potent indoor allergen, love dander. So it is crucial that you keep your bed linens laundered as well as your pet's special blanket, rug, and/or bedding. These should be washed at temperatures that exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill mites. Washing the linens gives double benefits (in addition to clean sheets!). Reducing the dander reduces the food source for mites, and since dust mites are also an allergen you are successfully eliminating two of the most potent indoors allergens known. Use A HEPA Air Cleaner---Using an air purifier with a HEPA (an abbreviation for high efficiency particle arresting) filter is an effective, low maintenance, and non-invasive way to eliminate airborne particulates. As its name suggests, it is highly efficient at removing airborne particles. In order to be designated as a HEPA it must be able to trap 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates that are .3 microns or greater. The really good thing about this type of filtration is that not only will it remove pet-related pollutants such as dander, and hair; but it will also remove more normal indoor irritants such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollens as well as airborne bacteria and viruses. Taking these 5 steps will minimize the allergens in your air, improve your quality of life, and give you more quality time to enjoy your pet.. And being able to reduce your symptoms allows you to enjoy your pet more. And that's a win win situation for all!
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