Ashford Clinic Blog
Pets and Allergies
They're adorable, we love them, they're part of the family. It's true that our pets add so much to our quality of life, but as with anything else, there are also plenty of downsides that come with pet ownership. One particular area of confusion when it comes to pet ownership complications is how they contribute to our allergy symptoms. It's true that pets can be a source of irritation when it comes to your allergies, but not in the way that most people think. If you think that your furry family is triggering your allergy symptoms, there's no need to start by looking for a new home for your beloved pets. Let's clear up some of the confusion around the relationship between our pets and our allergies.
How Do Pets Contribute to My Allergies?
Contrary to popular belief, animal fur itself does not cause allergic reactions. In fact, there's really no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal. You're just as likely to have a reaction to animals with long hair, short hair, or even no hair. So, if it's not the fur, what is the culprit? The short answer is anything that the animal releases into the atmosphere of your home. Dead skin cells, urine, saliva, pollen, dust, and other irritants that are brought in from the outside from your pet are more likely the cause of your pet-based sneezing and wheezing.
What Can Be Done About Pet-Related Allergies?
Now that we have a better idea of how our pets are making our noses run, how do we effectively solve these issues? Luckily, there are a number of things that can be done to help with "pet allergies", like...
- Regular bathing (at least once a week)
- Leaving them outdoors (if the outdoor area of your home is conducive to safely housing your pet)
- Let them sleep in another room (keeping them out of your bedroom and regularly washing their bed can greatly reduce the number of allergens in your area)
- Get Allergy Tested!!! Determining exactly what triggers your symptoms and receiving treatment for those specific things is the best way to effectively treat your allergy issues and experience a new "happily ever after" with your pets.
If you're in the Athens-North GA Area, Ashford Clinic is here to help! Give us a call to learn more or to make an appointment.
