Pet Allergy Treatment
Simply put, an allergy is an atypical response of the immune system to a normal, harmless substance, which, in the case of pet allergies, would be pet hair or dander. Most people believe that they have an actual allergy to cats, dogs or other pets like rodents or horses when in fact they are reacting to the animal's fur, saliva and urine. According to the American Humane Association, about 57 percent of American households have a cat or dog, so it is no surprise that pet allergies are one of the most common of all allergies.-
Reduce Exposure
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The best strategy for avoiding pet allergies is to reduce your exposure to animals as much as possible, suggests the Mayo Clinic. However, since so many households have pets, and in fact consider pets to be members of the family, avoiding cats and dogs, whether they're your own or a friend's, may be next to impossible. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) also recommends avoiding direct contact with pets, such as hugging, kissing and petting; wash hands after touching pets; and bathe your pet weekly.
Hay Fever
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Allergies occur when the lining of your nasal passages become inflamed, causing sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and itching---all symptoms of hay fever. The most commonly used medications for treating hay fever symptoms are antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants. Antihistamines, like Allegra and Clarinex, block the production of histamine, the chemical that causes sneezing, runny nose and itching. Corticosteroids, like Flonase and Nasonex, applied to the nose with a nasal spray, reduces inflammation and stuffiness. Decongestants shrink the swollen tissues in your air passages and help improve your breathing.
Allergy-Induced Asthma
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Allergies can also activate symptoms of asthma---airways become constricted and cause wheezing and shortness of breath. The Mayo Clinic indicates that allergy-induced asthma is the most common cause of asthma in the United States. Similar to hay fever, when in the presence of pets, the histamine in your system will act on your bronchial passages and lungs. One treatment for allergy-induced asthma, according to James Li, M.D., a Mayo Clinic allergy specialist, is allergy shots, also called immunology. Though allergy shots won't cure you of asthma, over time you can reduce your immune system's response to the allergens. A corticosteroid inhaler can reduce inflammation in your airways. If your allergy-induced asthma is moderate to severe, it's most likely best to enjoy pets from afar.
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