Combating Pet Allergies
Allergic reactions related to pets can be difficult to manage. If you have allergy problems when you are in contact with certain animals, you are not alone. In the United States alone, three out of ten allergic people have reactions to contact with cats and dogs¹.
What Causes Pet Allergy Symptoms?
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Signs of allergies can often be the result of exposure to proteins found in the animal's saliva and dead skin cells, or in its urine. Pet dander can remain airborne for long periods of time and stick to clothing and upholstery².
Allergic reactions are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the nasal passages or lungs as your immune system responds to inhaling the pet dander allergen².
By producing the antibodies needed to protect you from foreign substances, your body may overreact to pet allergies, with symptoms such as:
• wheezing
• difficulty breathing and asthmatic reactions
• sneezing and nasal congestion
• eye irritation, itching and tearing up
• swelling of the skin around the eyes
• chest tightness
• insomnia due to shortness of breath or cough
• eczema on the surface of the skin
• red spots on the skin and itching²
What animals have dander that cause allergies?
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Any furry animal can cause a reaction in allergy sufferers, but cats and dogs are the most common²: Hairs from their fur often shed when you groom them or when your pet grooms itself. Pet dander can be a trigger even if the pet is no longer in the room³. It is in fact possible to develop an allergy at any time, even if you love animals.
How to relieve symptoms
Pets are present in 59% of UK homes⁴. If you are suffering from allergic symptoms or reactions to pets, there are several options to relieve your symptoms.
Socialise outdoors with pet owners
The most obvious solution is to avoid contact with the breeds of cats and dogs that cause the most severe symptoms. Ask friends and family to meet you outside if they have pets to avoid coming into contact with their dander and triggering allergens.
Effectively eliminate dander
Using a vacuum with powerful suction and tools, like the Dyson V15 Detect™ Cordless Vacuum , can really make a difference. Since it is cordless, it allows you to clean a variety of surfaces easily and freely without the limitations of a cord. Thanks to the illuminated cleaning head, you can also see hidden pet hair that might otherwise be missed.
By vacuuming slowly and carefully, following a pattern and using the right tools, you increase your chances of capturing pet dander.
What if you like animals?
Avoiding pets altogether is not an easy solution for animal lovers. It has been estimated that 3.2 million UK households have purchased a pet since the start of the pandemic⁶. Certainly, pets are a great solution to loneliness, but unfortunately no pet is 100% hypoallergenic⁷.
It's definitely better to choose a pet that sheds less, but you will still be exposed to pet dander on a regular basis. Talking to your doctor will help you make a decision about how best to manage your allergies with treatments such as antihistamines for milder reactions⁸.
Trust the quality of your air
Pollen, dust, and dry air all contribute to poor air quality, including pet dander .
Capturing pollen and allergens, the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact purifies the entire room⁹ and eliminates 99.95% of ultrafine particles¹⁰.
The Dyson range of purifiers has been tested on rooms as large as 81m³ with nine sensors which constantly measure air quality¹¹. The unique algorithm cross-references the data every second to precisely monitor your air quality.
The activated carbon filter helps capture odors. By combining this technology with the self-detangling brush, you can avoid odors.
By choosing automatic mode, you will activate your purifier as soon as particles are detected, allowing you to keep the room purified at all times, even when you are busy.
Taking Action Against Exposure to Pet Allergens
Fortunately, there are several approaches to improving your exposure to allergens. With these tips and specially designed machines, reducing exposure to pet dander and particles can help you reduce symptoms.
