Pet dander and you: keeping your house clean and safe
June 13, 2009 by admin
Filed under Allergies, General Health
Its not the pet hair your allergic to, it’s the pet dander. The main allergen in pet dander is traces of a protein from microscopic bits of pet skin, saliva and urine. Pet dander is often found on fur of animals and can float in the air and settle in places pets are not allowed. In an allergic reaction, your body releases histamine in response and you can suffer itchy eyes, runny nose or nasal congestion, hoarseness, rashes, sneezing or wheezing.
To eliminate symptoms you must eliminate pet dander. Set up “pet-free” zones trying to keep pets out of the bedroom and definitely out of the bed. Get a good HEPA vacuum and get all the nooks and corners in your house, even in the pet-free zones. Use an air purifier or air filter for your furnace and vents. Cleaning the air eliminates lots of other pollutants, so this is a very healthy choice.
Groom all your pets regularly, outside if you do it at home, and pay attention to what you feed them. Some foods may irritate their skin, causing excess dander flaking. By keeping accumulated pet dander to a minimum, you should see a relief in symptoms right away.
