Four Easy Ways to Control Your Pet Allergy Many people find that they are allergic to their pets. Here’s why: Cat saliva, for example, contains aAs cats groom themselves, they transfer the allergen to their hair and skin. break off into tiny flakes called dander. Everywhere the cat goes, it leaves behind its dander. happens with dogs and birds. The dander comes to rest in carpets, beds, and sofas where contact with people propels it back into the air where people inhale it, causing an allergic reaction. If you are allergic to your pet, you can take steps to reduce your exposure to these allergens. simple steps can help you enjoy your pet without suffering from annoying allergies. The steps are listed below in approximate order of importance. Treat your pet to neutralize dander and reduce shedding. One of the most cost effective ways of reducing your allergy symptoms (far less expensive than taking a daily antihistamine, for example) is to use a

which is applied to the pet’s hair or fur. does air purifiers really helpThere are a variety of availablebest air purifier for sleep treatments which come in the formdoes air purifier remove vocs of pre-packaged wipes, bottled shampoos, and rub-on solutions. typically either neutralize the allergen or reduce shedding, or both. Use a true HEPA air purifier to capture airborne animal dander. The most effective way to capture animal dander, once it has become airborne, is by using a true HEPA air purifier. Choosing a true HEPA air purifier is especially critical for animal dander, as animal dander is among the smallest particles, and standard air purifiers may fail to capture it. True HEPA air purifiers

capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size, small enough capture virtually all animal dander particles. Place an air purifier in the rooms the pet uses the most and you will likely see a dramatic decrease in your symptoms. Treat your carpets, fabrics and bedding where dander has accumulated. Because animal dander generally accumulates in carpets and fabrics, and vacuuming will not usually capture all of the dander, applying a to the carpet or fabric will neutralize the dander that has been left behind. typically only need to be used monthly (or even less). Use them on your pet’s favorite chair, sofa, or carpet and you will probably notice your symptoms diminish quickly.Your pet will leave behind dander in any room it enters. Regular vacuuming is a great way to capture that dander. The problem with most vacuums is that they cannot capture particles as small as animal dander, so after sucking the animal dander out of the carpet they simply shoot it back

A HEPA vacuum will capture 99.9% of the animal dander that it inhales. (While a HEPA vacuum solves the problem of retaining the captured animal dander, no vacuum will collect all the animal dander trapped in a carpet. That is why the treatments recommended in #3 above are very helpful.) 5 Ways to Soothe Your Child's Eczema 12 Eczema Triggers to Avoid Are Your Clean Clothes Drying Your Skin? 10 Ways to Relieve Period CrampsSpot These 12 Bug Bites Eczema can be triggered by allergens and other irritants in your home. Learn how to cut down your exposure to triggers that make your eczema worse. Sign Up for Our Beauty Newsletter Eczema is a long-term condition that causes your skin to be dry and itchy — and scratching your skin results in a red rash. Although there are many treatments, there is no cure for eczema, so management becomes very important. The most common type of eczema, atopic dermatitis, is caused by an allergic reaction, so a big part of controlling eczema is controlling indoors allergens and eczema triggers like dust mites.

"Indoor allergens can trigger eczema and many irritants like household cleaners or fabric softeners can make eczema worse," says Elizabeth Page, MD, a dermatologist at the Lahey Clinic and an instructor in dermatology at the Harvard Medical School, both in Boston. "The most common indoor allergens that trigger eczema are dust mites and pets. The most important room in the house for management is the bedroom." Allergy testing by skin pricks or a blood test can be helpful in diagnosing pet and dust allergies. Here are other tips for managing indoor allergens:Pet allergens include skin flakes (also known as dander), saliva, urine, and dust, mold, or pollen that gets into pet hair. Dogs, cats, birds, and hamsters all carry allergens that can trigger allergic eczema. Contrary to popular belief, short-haired animals do not cause fewer allergic problems. The best solution is to get pets out of the house. If you can’t bear to part with your pets, at least keep them out of the bedroom and limit your pet to a small area of your home.

Avoid hugging and kissing them, as much as you might want to — love your pet from a distance. Go after dust mites. Most people who have atopic eczema are allergic to dust mites. "Start in the bedroom," says Dr. Page. "Get a plastic zippered mattress cover and pillow covers. Keep stuffed animals off the bed. Wipe down the bedroom every week and vacuum frequently. Wash all the bedding every one or two weeks in water 130° F or above." Other suggestions include using Vellux blankets , removing carpets, and getting new pillows. Use an air filter. HEPA (high efficiency particulate arresting) filters placed on heating and air-conditioning units can help clear your house of indoor allergens. Freestanding, room-sized models are also available. Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters are a must.It's not possible to avoid all indoor allergens in your home or when you go to other people's homes. An allergist can prescribe medications that can help, and may recommend allergy shots to decrease your reaction to dust, pet allergies, and other indoor allergens.

Indoor Irritants and Eczema Control "Because people with eczema don't hold enough moisture in their skin, their skin can be more easily irritated than other people,” Page says. Because one of the worst irritants for eczema is dry air, you should try to keep indoor heat down and indoor humidity between 45 and 55 percent, recommends Page. Here are other tips on limiting indoor irritants:Deodorant soaps can be too harsh and drying for people with eczema. Avoid washing in hot water, and use milder soaps such as Dove or Olay. Soap substitutes like Cetaphil or Aquanil are also recommended. Laundry detergents and fabric softeners can also irritate eczema. Avoid detergents with perfumes and artificial coloring and use a second rinse cycle to remove more detergent residue. Hand eczema is a common problem. Avoid contact with household cleaners, gasoline, turpentine, and other solvents. Wear gloves while washing dishes to protect your hands from hot water and any chemicals that cause irritation.