Are you suffering from allergies caused by your pet’s hair and dander? We see it all too frequently, and many owners bear the suffering to keep their dogs or cats from going to a new home. You love your furry friend, but the sniffling, sneezing and wheezing are taking over your life. Every day you wake up knowing it will be a rough one. But with these tricks and tips, you can soon see relief from pet allergies without rehoming your furry friend.
Carpet Vs. Hardwood Floors
You’ve probably already heard that getting rid of your carpet can help ease your allergies. But, how exactly?
Allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and other harmful particles attach to the surface of your carpet and are then released back into the air each time you walk across it. If you have allergies and asthma, that’s not good news for you.
To get rid of allergens in your home, it’s best to start from the ground up. We understand that this can be a costly fix; however, there are other more inexpensive options. If you want to keep your carpets or are renting, you can opt to hire a carpet cleaning professional to deep clean your carpets at least twice a year. This will help prevent the buildup of allergens and leave your floors clean and dust-free – at least for the time being.
Purchase a Good Vacuum
There are many vacuums on the market today that can effectively and efficiently lift pet hair and dander from every surface of your home. Make sure to purchase a vacuum with a good filter system that will trap the allergen particles and keep them sealed from releasing back into the air. When it comes time to empty it, go outside or into your garage and use a mask to protect your face and nose from any loose debris.
Groom and Bathe Your Furry Friend
Although cleaning can be a great way to reduce allergen build, it can only do so much. Now it’s time to get to the root problem. Did you know that some pets shed more than others? This is why it’s essential to send your furry friend for a bit of spa day to control excess hair. Not only can it help to eliminate the amount of hair in your home, but it can help your pet stay clean and healthy year-round.
Wash Furniture and Bedding Frequently
As we stated previously, pet hair clings easily to furniture specially made from fabric material. Make sure to wash your pillows, bedding, couches, and even your animals’ beds often. This will help to decrease allergen build-up and reduce your symptoms.
Pet Free Zone
We know that their animals are a part of their family for many people. However, when you suffer from allergies, it may be time to dedicate a room or area of your home as a pet-free zone. Not only does this eliminate the ability for dander to get into that area, but it can be a safe space for you to find some relief. Most people recommend making your bedroom a pet-free space since we often spend most of our time.
Filters are Your Best Friend Too
Air filters will become your best friend. This is the ultimate step in controlling your pet allergies. A good filter can remove a large percentage of microscopic allergens in the air that you don’t see but can worsen your allergies. A great benefit to using these filters is that it works for animal hair and dander and remove other potentially harmful allergens from the air.
Medication
When worse comes to worst and the day seems filled with endless tissues and watery eyes getting the best of you, it may be time to take some over-the-counter medication. If you are a frequent allergy sufferer, now is the perfect time to get in contact with an allergy specialist. They will test you for allergens during these visits, assess your symptoms, prescribe medication, and create a treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Relieve Pet Allergies: Conclusion
Many pet lovers don’t want to give up their furry companions just because they are allergic and would rather suffer through sneezing and sniffling than lose their best friend. If that sounds like you, try out these tips, and you’ll be well on your way towards gaining relief from the allergy symptoms you currently experience.
Here at Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates of Central Florida, our team of allergy specialist are ready to help you take control of your allergies and get back to enjoying life with your pets; contact us today to schedule a consultation!