Facts About Animal Dander and Allergies
What are the causes of pet allergy symptoms?
is the loose skin flakes that animals shed.
This pet dander is the main cause of pet
allergy symptoms. Pet allergies can be caused by the proteins in the hair, saliva,
and urine of your beloved companion.
When any of these pet allergens come in contact with your skin, they can cause an allergic
Pet allergy symptoms can include:
There is no relationship between how long your pets hair is and how much dander
its skin produces. However, your pet's fur can collect allergens like pollen,
dust, and mold spores from the environment. Having these other allergens present
in your home will magnify your pet allergy symptoms.
- Sneezing, congestion, runny nose
- Itching, watery eyes
- Coughing and wheezing
- Eczema or rashes
Are you experiencing pet allergy symptoms even though there is no pet in your
pet dander is sticky, it can adhere to many surfaces. Dander
can be present for up to six months after the pet has been removed from the
home. Animal dander is
likely to stick in carpets, upholstery, drapery, and other similar
Facts about Pet Allergies
Fact #1 - Suffering from a pet allergy is quite common.
An estimated 10% to 15% of the entire population may be allergic to animals, and
more than 70% of U.S. households have a dog or a cat. According to the Humane
Society, an estimated 1/3 of people who are allergic to cats (about 2 million
people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway.
Fact #2 - Pet allergies can be controlled.
The best solution is always to find a new home for your pet. Overexposure
to animal dander can make the problem worse and can develop into
asthma. If you or
a member of your family has a severe pet allergy, finding a new home for your
pet is your best solution.
However, for milder pet allergies, there are many steps you can take to reduce
your exposure to animal dander and other pet allergens. Because many people are
not able or willing to give up their pets, there are a number of products
available to reduce symptoms and exposure to pet dander.
What steps can be taken to decrease exposure to animal dander?
1. Keep your pets outdoors. If this is impractical, create an allergy-free zone
somewhere in the home--we recommend the bedroom. Prohibit the pet from entering this
2. Remove airborne animal dander by cleaning the air with a
HEPA filtered air
3. Wash pets weekly with dander reducing shampoo. Bathing your pet on a weekly
basis can reduce the level of allergens by as much as 84%.
4. Vacuum frequently using a
Miele or another HEPA filtered
cleaner that removes and permanently traps airborne allergens.
5. Install a high-efficiency filter on home climate control systems to prevent
dander from circulating throughout the home. Put
web vent filters over register vents. Change both filters seasonally.
6. Keep pets off furniture.
7. Wash hands thoroughly after playing with your pet.
8. Avoid furnishings such as cloth curtains, blinds, and carpeted floors. These
materials tend to trap animal dander and other allergens.
Fact #3 - AchooAllergy.com can help.
We have a great selection of
pet care products to help
you control your allergy symptoms. Additionally, we offer FREE SHIPPING on
orders over $150 in the continental United States. Please browse our helpful Pet
Allergy Buying Guide. You will find great ways to clean your home, care for
your pet, and create a more hospitable living environment. You can easily place
your order online or by calling us at (800) 339-7123.
Pet Allergy Buying Guide
Austin Air Purifiers
The Austin Air Healthmate is our top selling air purifier. We recommend
checking out the Healthmate and our other
Austin models. The HM-400 is a sturdy, dependable air purifier
that is great at removing a variety of airborne allergens. Its true medical HEPA filter will consistently
and effectively remove animal dander from your environment, as well as pollen, dust, and other common irritants. This versatile air purifier also removes
odors, so if your pet leaves any unpleasant smells, the HM-400 will do the trick. It is most effective for areas up to 700 square feet.
A sealed system combined with powerful suction and HEPA filtration make the Miele Callisto ideal for
asthma and allergy sufferers alike. With an included powerbrush attachment, the Callisto pulls up
embedded pet hair, dander and other allergens then stores them in a self-sealing, 9-ply dustbag.
Miele vacuum cleaners all conform to
the stringent European air filtration standard (EN 1822).
Dyson DC25 Animal
The most powerful vacuum cleaner for pet
hair. Dyson vacuum cleaners are the first
vacuum cleaners that do not lose suction on
turns. A mini turbine head on the DC25
Animal is specially designed to clean pet hair from confined spaces. Because
their suction is so strong that they can
pick up even the smallest particles,
vacuum cleaners are approved for allergy sufferers by the British Allergy
Foundation. A lifetime HEPA filter offers additional filtration.
Eureka Power Paw Attachment
The Power Paw fits most vacuums on the market today. Its air driven turbobrush effectively removes pet hair from
furniture and other cloth upholstered items with ease. Two rows of teeth helps loosen while the spinning brush lifts
and removes dander containing hair.
Pet Brush Vacuum
If you have a large dog that sheds a lot of hair, this Pet Brush attachment can help you
remove unwanted hair from your dogs coat before it has a chance to settle
around your home.
Ecology Works Pet
This Anti-Allergen Solution Pet Shampoo is proven to denature protein allergens
on contact. It can be used on dogs, cats, and small animals to neutralize dust
mite and pet dander allergens. This product deodorizes and is completely non-toxic.
This solution is formulated specifically for cats. Allerpet/C will cleanse your
cats hair of saliva and dander. Use once a week to significantly cut down on
animal dander allergens. Absolutely non-toxic and safe for kittens.
This solution is formulated specifically for
dogs. Allerpet/D will cleanse your
dogs hair of saliva and dander. Use once a week to significantly cut down on animal dander allergens. Absolutely non-toxic and safe even for puppies.
The unique patented design of the AllergyZone Furnace Filter traps over 90% of
allergens, removing them from the air circulating through your home. Disposable
and highly efficient, Allergy Zone Furnace Filters help reduce dust, animal
dander, and other allergens. These filters keep your home cleaner and
reduce your allergy
Web Vent Filters|
These vent filters go over the vent register systems in your home. They are made
of a self-charging electrostatic material that traps dirt, dust, and pollen-sized particles.
Allergens are trapped and prevented from circulating
throughout your home.
Dander Allergy Solutions for more
information about pet allergies.