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The Importance Of A Clean Home And Eliminating Pet Dander That Triggers Asthma
Having asthma or pet allergies is not a small health concern. Around 30% of people suffering from asthma are allergic to their cats or dogs. Also, while you may link your asthma symptoms to pet hair, the actual cause of the problem is your pet’s dander. According to one expert, cleaning your home properly can keep your asthma at bay. His comment is here if you want to find out more.
Dealing with asthma makes it hard to have pets around as they can trigger your allergy. Nonetheless, if you’re an animal lover, it’s never an option to give up your furry friend. Fortunately, there are simple ways to prevent your asthma attacks because of pet dander and live 
peacefully with your furry friends.
But First, Let’s Have A Look At What Pet Dander Is
Like most people, you probably think pet hair is the culprit of allergies causing you to have an asthma attack. However, this is a myth, and it’s animal dander that actually triggers your asthmatic symptoms.
Pet dander is made up of small, sometimes microscopic skin flecks shed by animals with feathers or fur, including dogs, cats, and birds. These are also the proteins in your pet’s feces, saliva, skin flakes, hair, and urine, which cause your allergic reactions.
Often, the most common cause of your allergies is protein from your cats and dogs. When their dried saliva containing allergens flake off from the fur, it becomes airborne. It can land on parts of your body, or you may inhale them directly into your lungs. When this happens, you’ll notice the symptoms right away. They may also develop within eight to twelve hours upon contact. The same thing happens to dust from their dried feces.
Hence, it is essential to keep your home clean at all times. There are plenty of ways to do so, but vacuuming can control pet dander and hair inside the house the best.
What’s The Effect Of Pet Allergens On Our Health?
If you have asthma or pet allergies, breathing animal dander can worsen your respiratory symptoms. The ability of your lungs to function may also decline. Nevertheless, the allergen concentrations needed to create such reactions may vary greatly between individuals.
Your immune system tends to overreact when breathing or touching animal allergens when you’re sensitive to them. As a result, your immune system will release a chemical known as histamine, which leads to your allergic reaction.
Most people suffering from allergies may feel lower and upper respiratory tract symptoms, which include the following:
- Itchy eyes
- Your eyes may also turn watery and red
- Sore throat
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Having a hard time breathing
- Eczema
- Chest tightness
- Rashes
For a lot of asthmatic individuals, their symptoms may worsen because of the histamine release. There are also cases when your allergy is due to the things connected with your pets, such as their food or cage.
How Pet Allergy Is Diagnosed
When you go to your doctor, he will base the diagnosis of your pet allergy on your medical history, symptoms, physical tests, and results. You’ll be given skin or blood tests to support your diagnosis. The allergy test will indicate if you have an allergic sensitization to your pets.
Once your doctor determines that you have pet allergies, he may advise you to stay in a place where there are no pets around. This is to see if any of your symptoms will go away. Keep in mind that removing your cat or dog will not help at all since the allergens will still be present.
Ways To Reduce Pet Dander In Your Home
You don’t have to worry about saying goodbye to your four-legged friend if you or someone in your family is allergic to pet dander. Simply take these tips into consideration, and you’ll be able to reduce their presence in your house while controlling your allergies.
- Create a no pet zone in your home
Choose a room in your house, preferably the bedroom of the allergic person, as a pet-free area. It means none of your pets are allowed to enter the room at all times. This is also the place where you or anyone with allergies will spend most of your time in.
- Do not forget to clean
You can minimize the presence of pet dander by dusting as often as you can. But make sure that the family member allergic to it is not present. Or have someone do it if you’re the one with the allergy.
Carpets tend to accumulate pet allergens, so you’ll find yourself constantly sneezing even if your pets are not in the room with you. So try to remove them altogether and opt for laminate, tile or wood flooring. Also, make sure to mop your floors regularly, which is an easy task if you own one of those robot mops that do all the work for you.
And if you’re thinking of getting one, there are plenty of available options around. So to help narrow down your choices, here’s the iRobot Braava jet m6 cleanup.expert overview 2019. It’s one of the best robotic mop cleaners available today for pet hair and dander. But if replacing your carpet is not possible, choose one with a low pile and vacuum or steam clean it frequently.
- Give your pet a bath and some good brushing
Giving your pet a weekly bath and daily brushing can help lessen excess animal dander. Also, consider having your pet groomed by a professional if you’re the one suffering from asthma. You may also ask a family member without allergies to do the bathing and brushing of your pets.
- Furniture is off limits
It’s best to keep your furry companion outside as much as possible. When they are inside, ensure that they’re off your upholstered furniture, such as sofas and beds. Doing so will minimize your exposure to pet allergens. Additionally, place your pet inside a carrier instead of the car seat when traveling. It’s also a good idea to wash your cushion covers and furniture often using mild laundry soap.
- Utilize an air cleaner with a HEPA filter
Pet allergens are airborne. Running a HEPA air cleaner daily for four hours can help get rid of animal dander from your home’s air.
Final Words
If you or someone in your house has asthma, everyone needs to do their part to keep your space clean. Giving up your furry buddy doesn’t have to be the answer. You can co-exist with your pets even when you’re allergic to them. The key here is to ensure you and your pets are healthy all the time, and ensuring that cleanliness is a top priority. Also, it’s worth remembering that pets offer unconditional love and many health benefits to humans. 
