Bringing home a new furry best friend from the Five Acres Animal Shelter should be a happy moment, but pet allergies can undercut your excitement. Luckily, you don’t have to give up your pet to manage your symptoms.
Let’s take a look at five tips to help you minimize your allergy symptoms so you can continue bonding with your furry friend.
1. Bathe and Brush Them Weekly
Pet allergies stem from a sensitivity to dander—composed of microscopic flecks of skin. Pet dander can come from animals with fur or feathers, including but not limited to cats, dogs, guinea pigs, rabbits and birds.
Bathing your pet weekly helps cut down on excess dander, minimizing its spread around the home. After bathing, brush them to remove hair.
2. Use a Lint Roller
Lint rollers are a pet owner’s best friend. They’re a cheap and effective way to remove hair and dander from upholstered furniture and carpeting. Every few days, roll the couch and pillows to remove excess allergens.
3. Keep Pets off the Furniture
It’s hard to say no when your dog or cat wants to jump on the couch or bed. Unfortunately, saying no is also crucial to minimizing your allergen exposure. Consider buying your pet a new, cozy bed to encourage them off the couch, without the guilt of telling them to move.
4. Take Allergy Medication
Daily allergy medications like antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops, mast cell stabilizers and nasal sprays offer short-term relief from allergy symptoms. You can pick an allergy medication based on your symptoms. For example, antihistamine creams are great for hives, while decongestants are better for a stuffy nose or sinus pressure. Most allergy medications are available at your local drugstore.
5. Consider Allergy Shots
Allergy shots are a long-term treatment to desensitize your immune system to allergens. The shots are administered in increasing doses over three to five years. Over time, your immune system will get used to the allergen, minimizing your symptoms.
Schedule an Allergy Treatment Consultation
An allergy specialist can help you find the right treatment path, whether medication, allergen avoidance or long-term solutions like immunotherapy.
Contact Midwest ENT Centre today to schedule your consultation.