Living with a pet can be hard for people who suffer from allergies. Thankfully, allergy symptoms can be reduced with regular grooming.
All pets shed dander (dead skin cells) and saliva that can trigger allergies. This dander is spread throughout the house and collects on furniture, carpeting, and draperies.
Pollen
Pollen is the fine dust-like substance that plants release to help them spread and thrive. It can be found everywhere in the environment, including on pets and people. It’s very fine and nearly invisible to the naked eye, but it can coat fur, paws and skin after a walk in the grass or a ride in the car. Pollen can also travel inside the house on air or on clothing. It’s a common cause of seasonal allergies in dogs.
Normally, the immune system is designed to protect the body from bacteria, viruses and pathogens like molds. It recognizes these as dangerous and tries to kill them, but in some cases, the immune system overreacts and attacks substances that are typically harmless – called allergens. The result is allergy, which can affect 50 million Americans and many pets each year.
Most pet allergies are inhalant, meaning the immune system reacts to chemicals or particles that enter the body through the nose, mouth or eyes. Typically, inhalant allergies are caused by tree, grass and weed pollens, as well as molds, mildew, and dust mites. Symptoms include runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing and itching. Allergies usually occur seasonally, but some allergies, such as those to dander and dust mites, are year-round.
When your pet has a reaction to an allergen, the immune system sends inflammatory cells to attack the allergen and eliminate it. In the case of a pollen allergy, the immune system attacks the mast cells, which produce histamine and other biochemicals that trigger itching, swelling and redness.
Allergies are not cured, but with medication and good grooming, it is possible to control your pet’s symptoms so they can enjoy life again. The best way to manage your pet’s allergy is to consult with a veterinarian, who can pinpoint which allergens affect your pet and prescribe medications that will keep the symptoms at bay.
A regular grooming routine and frequent baths can help remove irritants and wash away allergens, such as pollen. Omega fish oil supplements can improve the skin’s barrier, reducing the number of allergens that penetrate the skin and cause itching. Some therapeutic shampoos contain oatmeal colloids, which can also soothe inflamed and itchy skin.
Dust Mites
When pets shed, they leave behind a fine dust that contains proteins. Dust mites love these particles and can multiply rapidly in warm and humid environments where they can live. When a person breathes in these particles, they can trigger allergic reactions that mimic those of hay fever. These reactions occur all year round, whereas pollen allergy symptoms only happen in the spring and summer.
Allergies to pet dander are usually milder than those from other allergens. They are also more likely to occur in children, who may hug or cuddle their pet more often than adults. Symptoms may include itchy eyes and a runny nose, along with hives in some cases. Grooming can help manage this type of allergy by removing dander from the skin and coat, keeping it healthy.
In addition to grooming, there are other ways to reduce the presence of pet allergens in the home. Vacuum and sweep frequently, using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to trap particles in the filter. Use synthetic pillows made without feathers and avoid stuffed animals that can contain dander. Wash all bedding, including sheets and blankets, regularly in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting. Use dehumidifiers to control humidity levels.
Regular baths and frequent brushing can also reduce the amount of allergen in a pet’s fur. This is because it removes the dead skin flakes, known as dander, which are a major cause of allergies.
Medications may be used to manage the condition as well. Allergen-specific immunotherapy can help in the long term, but antihistamines and over-the-counter allergy medicines can provide relief for short periods of time.
If your symptoms are persistent, see an allergist to determine if your allergy is caused by pet dander or other allergens. Your doctor will consider your history, symptoms and do a physical exam to make the diagnosis. They may recommend a blood or skin test to help identify your allergy. Allergy shots can also help in the long term. These injections contain a small dose of the allergen that causes your symptoms and can decrease your sensitivity over time.
Dander
Allergy symptoms may be triggered by proteins in pet dander, saliva or urine as well as specific foods. Grooming can help reduce the presence of these allergens on a pet’s body, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions in humans.
Grooming is particularly effective at reducing allergy-triggering pet dander. Pet dander is made up of tiny flakes of skin shed by pets, which can be airborne and inhaled by people with allergies or asthma. Inhaling pet dander can trigger nasal and sinus congestion, wheezing, sneezing and itchy eyes.
Often, the most effective way to reduce pet dander is to bathe your dog or cat frequently, ideally using allergen-neutralizing shampoos and wipes. Frequent bathing will wash away a lot of the dander and fur, though too many baths can dry out your pet’s skin, causing them to produce more dander in an attempt to compensate. Therefore, bathing once or twice a month should be sufficient unless your pet is exceptionally dirty during play or out on walks.
It’s also important to brush your pet regularly, preferably with a grooming tool that removes hair as it is brushed (though this can be difficult for dogs with long fur). Regular brushing can reduce dander by up to 84%. Ideally, this should be done outside by a non-allergic family member or a professional groomer.
And as detailed on Orlando Mobile Dog Grooming services, a clean home is the best way to minimize pet dander. To that end, choose washable throw rugs over wall-to-wall carpet and keep upholstered furniture covered with slipcovers. This allows you to easily remove the covers and launder them, which will significantly cut down on how much dander is transferred to your clothing and then to other areas of the house where it can cause problems.
If you are severely allergic to your pet, some guidelines suggest that you should find a new home for it. However, if you are able to limit your pet’s access to the bedroom where you and other family members sleep, use a HEPA air cleaner to control allergens in the room and apply anti-allergen mattress and pillow covers, you may be able to keep your dog and live with comfort again.
Other Allergens
Allergies to pet dander or other substances are called inhalant allergies and typically affect the nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. Symptoms include runny nose, itchy eyes and irritated throat, coughing, nasal congestion, and wheezing.
Like pollen and mold spores, pet dander can cause allergy symptoms in some people. All cats and dogs produce dander, a combination of saliva and skin cells that they continuously shed. Some pets produce more dander than others, and the length of their fur and amount of shedding can influence whether they’re an allergen trigger for you.
When you’re exposed to a pet allergen, your immune system reacts by producing antibodies, including immunoglobulin E (IgE). These IgE antibodies attach to the allergen proteins and help remove them from the body. Then, when you next encounter the same allergen, the IgE antibodies take it up and bring it to a type of cell called a mast cell. Mast cells are involved in the release of histamines, powerful chemicals that cause inflammation.
IgE and histamine can trigger nasal passage inflammation and cause symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose. These symptoms can interfere with your ability to sleep, which can cause fatigue. Allergy symptoms also can share many of the same symptoms as influenza and the common cold, so it’s important to see your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Grooming your pet, ideally by a non-allergic person, can reduce histamine levels and reduce the production of dander. Using washable curtains and bedding that are made of hypoallergenic materials can also reduce dander, dust mites, and other allergens in your home.
While reducing allergens in your home and grooming your pet can significantly reduce histamine levels, it isn’t possible to completely get rid of allergy symptoms caused by pet dander or other substances. However, your doctor can help you control these allergy symptoms with medications such as oral antihistamines, steroid nose sprays, or newly-approved topical allergy medicines that are applied to the skin and can be used long-term. These can be very effective in controlling allergy symptoms for most patients, so that they can keep their pets.
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