Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in
the U.S. and approximately half of all Americans test positive for at
least one of the 10 most common allergens, including cat allergies,
according to a
profile from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
reports that about 15-30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs. With
more than 100 million pets
in the United States this leads to high allergy morbidity as people are
exposed to animal allergens when visiting friends and family or even in
public spaces like schools and offices.
While it will require
some extra work, it is possible to live with a pet allergy and continue
to keep your animal as a member of the family. Pet allergies are caused
by reactions to proteins found in the pet's skin cells, saliva, or urine
and are usually triggered when people are exposed to these proteins.
While dog and cat allergies are the most common, any pet can cause
allergies. It can be difficult for some people to determine whether the
symptoms they are expecting are a common cold or if they are actually
allergic to dogs or cats.
Pet allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and sometimes wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Many
people will blame pet hair for their allergy symptoms, but in actuality
animal hair is not a meaningful allergen source on its own -- but other
allergens like dust, pollen, and mold can collect in a pet's fur, so
it's important to regularly bathe pets that allergic people will be
exposed to. Baths reduce a dog's allergen levels by approximately 85
percent, according to a 1999
study published in the
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The researchers compared allergen levels in dog dander after a
five-minute bath and found that it was effective in reducing allergens,
but the allergens returned to normal in around three days. This suggests
that dogs would need to be bathed at least twice a week to mitigate
their affect on triggering allergies.
While the best course of pet
allergy management is to avoid exposure to the animal, this is not a
realistic scenario for people that love their pets and see them as
members of the family. Luckily there are medications and treatment
options that can help relieve pet allergy symptoms and allow allergy
suffers to live with a pet allergy and avoid getting rid of the family
pet.
The first step is to determine if a person is actually
allergic to the pet. People who suspect they may have a pet allergy can
make an appointment with an allergist to be tested. The allergist can
identify the allergens that are triggering a person's symptoms.
If
it is determined that the beloved family pet is the source of a
person's allergies, there are multiple steps that can be taken to manage
the symptoms and help a person successfully live with a pet allergy.
First, the person should look at changing their environment.
Designate "pet free" spaces in the home.
Allergen levels can be reduced in "pet-free" rooms. Allergy sufferers
may want to keep pets out of bedrooms, home offices, or other areas
where they spend a lot of time. They may also want to teach pets not to
go on the furniture and invest in hypoallergenic bedding, which has a
barrier that resists allergens such as dander, pollen, dust, and mold.
Investing in a good air purifier with a HEPA filter will also help
reduce air borne allergens.
Clean more often. Pet
owners can reduce the amount of dander in the air by cleaning more
regularly. Change air filters and vacuum or shampoo carpets on a
frequent basis. Wash bedding often, especially pet beds or any bedding
where the pet sleeps. If possible, remove carpets in favor of hardwood
floors and replace upholstered furniture with pieces that won't collect
as many allergens.
After making changes in the home environment, a
person may want to consider allergy medications and other treatment
options, such as:
Medications. Mild allergy
symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter medications that relieve
symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Check with
an allergist to determine if prescription medications may be more
beneficial. It is important to note that these medications won't help
asthma-related symptoms.
Allergen immunotherapy.
Also known as allergy shots, allergen immunotherapy is a more long-term
treatment option that will lessen the symptoms of people with pet
allergies. Allergen immunotherapy decreases a person's sensitivity to
allergens and can lead to lasting relief from symptoms. Children as well
as adults can receive allergy shots, but they are not recommended for
children under 5. Allergy immunotherapy works by exposing the body to
minute amounts of an allergen and patients are given gradually
increasing doses. This treatment helps the body build up an immunity or
tolerance to the allergen. An allergist can determine the right range
for an effective maintenance dose.
Rush immunotherapy.
Like traditional allergen immunotherapy, in rush immunotherapy a
patient receives gradually increasing doses of allergens. However, rush
immunotherapy "rushes" the beginning phases of treatment so that these
beginning increases are given every few hours rather than every few days
or weeks. The process speeds up the initial build up phase of
treatment, but patients still need to continue regular allergy
injections. Patients progress from receiving allergy shots every two or
three weeks to every month. The shots will be given for a period of
three to five years as determined by the allergist. There are some
conditions that can prevent a patient from receiving rush immunotherapy
so a complete evaluation by a physician is required before it can begin.
While
pet allergies are best controlled with avoidance, it is not entirely
necessary to re-home treasured pets in the case of a pet allergy.
Environmental changes, medications and allergen immunotherapy are
effective strategies that can help pet allergy sufferers to treat their
symptoms and live with a pet allergy while still keeping their best
friend around.
