Many individuals, including those who are allergic to animals, love having pets in their homes and lives. Tragically, some people think that if they are diagnosed with a pet allergy, they have no option but to give up their pets. But there are several methods that may be considered in order for an allergy sufferer to maintain their furry friends while properly controlling their allergies. Many people with non-life-threatening allergies can live peacefully with their dogs. Here we give some tips on how to manage pet allergies and when to call our GP for pet allergy in Costa del Sol.
Maintaining some physical boundaries, prohibiting those pets from entering specific areas of your home and keeping as much of their allergenic proteins away from you, is one method to control your pet allergies. Preferably, you should not let them inside your bedroom, especially onto your bed. After all, here is where you sleep, and allergic responses would undoubtedly interfere with your ability to sleep well. Furthermore, pollen from the outdoors can be carried in by dogs and outdoor cats on their coats.
You should also keep them in parts of your home where the flooring are hard surfaces, such as linoleum or hardwood, to make cleanup easier. The same is applicable for furniture; it is preferable to have them in places with furniture that can be wiped off rather than upholstered.
To ensure that your home surfaces are as clean as possible, our GP for pet allergies in Costa del Sol recommends using a wet cloth or damp floor wipes .And, if you have a carpet or rug, vacuum it on a regular basis.
Air filters can also aid in limiting the spread and exposure to certain proteins.Some individuals follow the “no pets in the bedroom” rule while still using air filters in their bedrooms to keep the air as clean and pure as possible.
However, the additional cleaning should include your pets. Bathe your pets on a frequent basis if possible to help keep protein-impacted dander to a minimal. This also applies to brushing your pet's fur to reduce extra fur. Just ensure to brush them outdoors so that no hair or dander gets into your home.
And if your pet, particularly a dog, spends a lot of time outside, make sure to wipe them off when they come in from the street. If you are allergic to pollen, your pet may bring it in from the outside. So, if you wash them down before they come in, you can at least limit them from bringing in too much.
If, after following the tips in this article, you still have problems with your allergies, contact our GP for pet allergy in Costa del Sol. Over-the-counter medications may be prescribed by our doctor to help you deal with your pet allergies, and they can be quite effective. Nasal steroids are the most often used allergy therapy, and they assist with nasal congestion, leaking, and draining.
Antihistamines are another option that can help with itching and sneezing. Allergy injections are another useful alternative, although our GP for pet allergy in Costa del Sol cautions that they are not always successful.
More significant allergies might develop, leading to an increase in sinus infections, depending on the pet and the person. It can also aggravate some people's asthma and lead to additional upper respiratory infections.
While medicines can assist with many of these symptoms, the risks of relying on them should be considered, particularly because some of them can cause drowsiness. Medications might make it difficult for children to concentrate on homework.
Our GP for pet allergy in Costa del Sol also urges you to keep in mind that, while medications can help us feel better around animals we are allergic to, they are not cures. Instead, they just cover up our symptoms.
Photo by Jonas Vincent