It will seem horribly unfair to any child who suffers with

allergies that they cannot have a pet or must loose one whom they

have grown attached to. Is there a way to deal with pet allergies

which may lessen or even eliminate the suffering for adults and

children with allergies?WHAT ARE YOU ALLERGIC TO?By establishing whether the animal is actually the cause of an

allergy is certainly the best starting point. However, that can

be a difficult task if you already have an animal since the

allergens are extremely difficult to remove entirely. If an existing pet can be removed and the home thoroughly cleaned

(carpets, walls, furniture etc. ) you MAY be able to verify the

allergy in several months. Obviously that is not the easiest

solution. Having the child stay with a friend or relative for a week (as

long as there are no pets in the home) may show an improvement

that might indicate an allergy to the family pet. A visit to the doctor can confirm an allergy with a simple test.

The tests vary, but some can be mildly uncomfortable and would

probably not be considered if the allergy symptoms were mild. Some allergy symptoms are compounded by exposure to several

allergens. By identifying other sources and removing them you may

find the reaction to pets is lessened and not a barrier to

enjoying their presence. CREATING AN ALLERGY FRIENDLY HOMEThere are several steps you can take to reduce the build up of

allergens and bring relief to allergy sufferers. The first recommendation is to have hardwood or other smooth

surface for your flooring. Carpets hold far more of the particles

that cause allergies and hard flooring makes it easy to clean. Leather furniture is also ideal for homes with pet allergies. For

the same reason as hard flooring is more suitable than carpet,

leather holds far less allergens than fabric. Keep a seat for the allergy sufferer that pets are not allowed to

sit on. Also be certain that animals do not sleep on the beds or

enter the bedrooms of allergy sufferers. Consider keeping the

sleeping area of the home as a pet-free zone. MAKING YOUR PET AS HYPO-ALLERGENIC AS POSSIBLEThere are even things you can do with your pet to reduce the

allergic effects of having them in your home. Frequent grooming and bathing with a mild soap to prevent over

drying will reduce the dander that is one of the main causes of

pet allergies. It would be recommended that someone without

allergies take on this task. Washing hands after playing with a pet and avoiding touching your

face with unwashed hands will also help. Since some individuals

are also allergic to the saliva of pets it would be sensible to

not allow your pet to lick you. In the case of more serious allergies or asthma it may be best

that no pet share the home. For older children or adults it may

be possible to find a medication or treatment which makes the

situation tolerable if they prefer to keep the pet despite the

allergy. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes

only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any

disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any

health care program. Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News

where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on

many medical, health and lifestyle topics.

Author:
Emily Clark