Allergies To Pets - Diseases and Conditions Article

By:Michael Russell

In this article we're going to discuss one of the most annoying kinds of allergies that there is, especially for us animal lovers - allergies to pets and what can be done to reduce the allergens produced by pets.

The sad fact is that 10 to 15% of all the people in the world suffer from some kind of allergy to animals, which can make owning a pet not only annoying but potentially dangerous if the allergy is severe enough. Cat allergies are actually twice as common as dog allergies. The body's reaction to the animals is caused by a certain protein found in the animal's saliva, urine or dander. People aren't really allergic to the pet's fur but to the allergen that sticks to the fur, the carpeting or the furniture; basically anywhere your pet has been. Also, these microscopic flakes of dander travel through the air. As a matter of fact, studies show that these allergens can stay in the air even 3 years after an animal has actually been in the home.

Many people ask if there are any breeds of animals that people are not allergic to. The answer is, since all animals have dead skin there are no non allergic breeds. People may be more tolerant of certain breeds of dogs than others but there is no such thing as 100% non allergic. All animals produce some amount of allergen, even if it is a small amount. The allergic symptoms themselves build over time after handling or being near an animal, with the peak time being around 12 hours after. Also, as the pet spends more time living in the person's home the allergens begin to accumulate and a person who showed no symptoms when handling the pet at the store when buying it will start to show symptoms after it has been home for a while, usually within a day.

So what's the answer for people who want to have a pet but are allergic? What can they do in order to have a pet? Unfortunately, the only thing you can do is try to reduce your exposure to the allergens. You're not going to be able to get rid of them completely. One thing you can do to try to prevent the accumulation of allergens is to cover your furniture with plastic mattresses and pillow covers. Replace your carpeting with hard wooden floors and washable throw rugs. Clean the house as often as you can. Make sure you vacuum with a cleaner that has a HEPA filter otherwise allergens are just going to end up getting spread into the air. Your pet should be kept out of your bedroom completely. This may be hard for a real pet lover but it is essential. When you brush your pet, wear a face mask. Then change your clothes immediately afterward. Unfortunately, the success rate of allergy shots and other treatments for pet allergies is only about 50%. Currently however, a vaccine for people allergic to cats is being tested. This may be a major breakthrough in the future.

Until then, there really isn't much more you can do. If your allergies are severe it is probably best to stick with a fish for a pet.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: allergies

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Allergies

Top Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know. By : Tyson J Stevenson The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease.
2). Alcoholism— What Should I Know About It? By : Geoff Hugh What is alcoholism? Alcoholism is a disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your feelings, the way you make decisions, and the way you act. People with alcoholism cannot control how much they drink. What causes alcoholism? Nobody knows what causes alcoholism. People with parents who have alcoholism have a greater chance of getting the disease.
3). What is Anorexia By : Keith George Self induced emotional eating disorder characterized by persistent loss of appetite is called anorexia. Excessive consciousness toward weight loss, counting calories and excessive exercises can lead to a severe emotional eating disorder called anorexia.
4). Alcoholism Disease Or Not? By : The Source Alcoholism can be given a lot of definitions and all of them stress the fact that there is a terrible disease that involves addiction to spirits. Apart from the physical dependence on alcohol, there are other psychological, genetic and social factors that may play a role in the development of alcoholism. Many social, economic and public health problems are determined by this very serious disease.
5). Hangovers and How to Deal With Them, By : Partybody A health related article that explains hangovers and how to help prevent and cure them.
6). Gastritis Is More Than Indigestion By : Kevin Pederson It is the inflammation of the stomach getting the defense system on roll. It would mean that the stomach is injured and the white blood cells move on the walls of the stomach for help. The inflammation can be caused due to an infection caused by bacterium which can lead to stomach ulcers. Any other injury can also cause such problems.
7). The Demonization Of Genital Herpes By : Christopher Scipio Those of us who have so-called “genital herpes” are caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand we are ostracized by the minority of the population (about 40%) who don’t currently have herpes simplex in their body, which is bad enough, but more cruelly we are often isolated by our fellow members of the herpes community who have so-called cold sores (heroes simplex 1 of the mouth and face).
8). I am a mouth ulcers By : Ryan Fyfe Although it's not my favorite thing to be in the world, I am a mouth ulcer. My street name is most commonly: canker sore. I've got a fancy name, and that involves painful open sores that will exist in your mouth when the mucous membrane breaks. You might also choose to call me one of these other names: aphthous stomatitis or aphthous ulcer. Now that we have that out of the way.
9). Gall Bladder - A Place For Gallstones By : Kevin Pederson It is a pouch-shaped organ which is an important part of our body and lies next to the liver. It accepts the bile from the liver which is being stored to help digestion.
10). HPV Virus By : Ryan Fyfe Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet.

New Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). 5 Easy Tips To Protect Yourself Against Dry Skin By : Joshua Poyoh Our skin can become dry for various reasons. Just following these 5 tips can help you withstand the winter unharmed, and without the cracked, chafed, itchy dry skin that is typical of the season.
2). Yeast Infections: Symptoms & Treatments By : Munya Chinongoza A yeast infection is an infection that is very common. Most people associate a yeast infection with women, but in fact it is common in both men and women alike.
3). Treating Back Pain Effectively By : Darrell Knox So what are the causes of back pain? Back Pain can result in many ways. The following are some of the reasons why back pain occurs.
4). Understanding Coeliac Disease By : Anne Wolski Coeliac disease is a genetic condition that is caused by an inability to digest gluten. Hence the reason that this disease is also known as gluten intolerance.
5). Uncovering The Relationship Between Asthma And Allergies By : David Silva You often hear the terms "asthma" and "allergies" lumped together. But do you know why?
6). Home Remedies For Breast Tenderness By : Kevin Pederson A problem like breast tenderness may arise due to combination of factors like diet, nutrition, water, weight, age, menstrual cycle and fluctuating hormones. Studies conclude nearly three in four women suffer this discomfort at least once in their mature life.
7). Which Is The Number 1 Killer: Cardiovascular Or Heart Disease? By : Joann Cheong Cardiovascular or heart disease is caused by the damaged arteries leading to the heart obstructing the flow of blood that supplies oxygen and other nutrients to the different parts of our body...
8). Alzheimer’s Disease: What Every Family Needs to Know By : Douglas Hardwick Alzheimer’s disease touches the lives of millions of Americans. Today, some 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 10 families have a loved one afflicted with it. With no cure in sight, it is important for families to arm themselves with information about this devastating disease.
9). Could You Have Asthma? By : Eddy Kong This article explained how to know whether this person could have asthma.
10). Breathe Again With Good Asthma Management Practice By : Dean Caporella Unless you understand the varying degrees of asthma attack then any management plan you have set for yourself can be futile.