HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Pet Allergies
WHY YOU HAVE PET ALLERGIES Cause: Cats and dogs produce tiny,
minute proteins in their dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine that cause allergies. Pet hair itself is not an allergen, but it collects the proteins that carry allergens. Risks. Pet allergies are common. As
many as three in 10 Americans are sensitive to dogs and cats, with cat allergies being about twice as common as dog allergies. Up to 30 percent of people who have other allergies also have allergic reactions to dogs and cats. Symptoms: Pet allergy symptoms like
the following can range from mild to severe: watery, itchy, or red eyes; a runny or stuff y nose; coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and shortness of breath; and skin rashes or hives. Diagnosis: “Skin prick” tests diagnose
both dog and cat allergies. Doctors place an extract of a pet allergen on your skin, which is then pricked to let the liquid soak into the skin. If you’re allergic, you’ll usually have redness and swelling in the area within about 20 minutes.
WHAT TO DO Wash your hands. If you pet or hug an animal, wash your hands immediately
with soap and water. Clean your house. Dust, sweep
and mop frequently. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high-effi ciency particulate air) fi lter that is eff ective at trapping pet dander. Get a HEPA air purifi er; it will constantly trap dander as well as other allergens. Bathe your pet. Bathing a pet once
a week will help reduce allergens on the animal itself and also cut down those circulating in the air. Between baths, try rubbing your pet’s coat with a hypoallergenic baby wipe. Give your pet a t-shirt. Putting a clean
t-shirt on your pet will minimize the spread of dander from its hair to you. Launder bedding. Wash your pet’s
bedding once a week, and keep its bed out of your bedroom. Move cat litter boxes. Keep litter boxes
in the basement or another out-of-the- way area of the house. Ask someone who isn’t allergic to clean it, but if that isn’t possible, wear a mask and gloves. Medicate: For mild allergy symptoms,
such as itchy, runny eyes, try over- the-counter medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants. Allergists can prescribe stronger prescription medications if needed, including steroids.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS See your doctor: If you’re in a
situation where you can’t avoid being around a pet you’re allergic to, and measures to cut down on allergens in your home aren’t enough, see your allergist. You may be prescribed allergy shots — allergen immunotherapy — which uses tiny amounts of a specifi c allergen in increasing amounts over time to increase your tolerance to it. While this type of therapy may last three to fi ve years, it can yield long-term benefi ts.
86 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | JANUARY 2019 Do
Hypoallergenic Pets Exist?
A
ccording to the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America, a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat doesn’t exist, although people with allergies may be more sensitive to some breeds than others. Hairless dogs and cats, and dogs with non-shedding coats are considered best because they produce less dander, which causes most pet allergies. Hairless dog breeds include the Mexican hairless, Peruvian hairless, Chinese crested, Argentine Pila, and American hairless terrier. Breeds with non-shedding coats include poodle, Lhasa Apso, Portuguese Water, Bichon Frisé, Yorkshire terrier, and Shih Tzu. The Sphynx cat is hairless, and breeds such as Cornish Rex and Devon Rex have less hair that most breeds. However, experts warn that even hairless cats and dogs still produce the allergenic protein that triggers allergic symptoms, although Balinese and Russian blue cats produce less. Some experts believe the size of a dog helps determine the degree to which it will trigger allergic reactions because smaller dogs produce fewer allergens.
WOMAN/MILA SUPINSKAYA GLASHCHENKO/SHUTTERSTOCK / SPHYNX/OBEBEE/SHUTTERSTOCK
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