How to Co-Habit with Your Furry Companions and Cope with Your Kids’ Respiratory Allergies

Learning that your child is allergic to your favorite companion can be terrifyingly upsetting. It is, however, not uncommon. According to the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America), only 30 percent of allergic persons have allergic reactions to either a cat, dogs, or any other pets.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the pets’ hair that triggers your child’s allergies. It is usually the proteins found in their urine, saliva, or pet dander. These allergens, the proteins stick to surfaces of walls, furniture, and clothing and stay there for a long time. Your pet can also bring in other allergens, such as pollen, into your home, thus causing a full-blown allergic reaction in your kids.

So, one might ask, what does one need to do to reduce or completely get rid of these allergic reactions?

The first rule of any dangerous or toxic situation is to get rid of them or keep a distance. However, when it is your pet in question, that is hard to do. You cannot just wake up one day and decide to abandon your family member, can you? However, if your little angel’s allergies gradually become severe, then you may have to find your pet a new home.

In this post Mark Johnson, leading expert in clean air and environment at ByPurify will tell more about how to keep your place clean, as well as give some advice on how to choose the best vacuum cleaner for pet hair.

What Are the Symptoms of Children’s Pet Allergies?

They include a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and constant sneezing. Others can have an asthma attack if the allergies flare-up. 

So if your baby experiences some of these symptoms when they come in contact with your pet, then you ought to have her go through some allergy tests. 

Testing is essential since it gives an assurance of the allergen that is making your child’s life a nightmare. You might even be surprised to discover that your pet is not the cause. So, before you jump to any conclusions and exile your pet, be sure to pay a visit to your allergist or immunologist to know the exact culprit.

Nurse Your Pet Allergic Child to Health and Strengthen Her Bond with Your Pet with These Strategies to Reduce Pet Allergies

If your visit to the allergist proves that your pet triggers your child allergies, it is time to take action. If the allergies are too severe, then your only option is to build an outdoor haven for your pet. If they are not, here are some tips you can implement on: 

#01. Keep Your Child’s Bedroom A Pet-Free Zone 

You need to ensure that your pet does not get into your kid’s room. It would be best if you also cleaned regularly with a robust and reliable vacuum cleaner, to keep it pet dander- and pollen-free.  

You can even invest in an excellent air purifier and be sure to change the filters frequently.

#02.Ensure That You Cover Your Baby’s Bed with Extra Protection

It might sound useless, but covering your kid’s bed with some thick and robust cover will help reduce their allergies. So, go to your nearest mattresses and covers store and get them some dust mite covers for their pillow, blanket, and mattress. 

#03.Opt for Hard Surfaces Rather Than Carpets or Curtains

If you can, make some few changes to your living situation. Replace your upholstered surfaces with easily washable materials. Dander sticks to upholstery, curtains, drapes, and carpeting more efficiently than it does to hard surfaces like wood or tile. 

Moreover, these non-fabrics are easy to clean. However, if you have no other option, ensure that you choose a low-pile carpet and make sure that you steam-clean it regularly.

#04. Do Not Forget to Bathe Your Pet Weekly

Giving your pets weekly baths will significantly reduce the amount of allergy-causing dander they shed. If you can, as you pay a visit to your allergists, consult him on the types of shampoos, you can use to ensure your pets are safe and also to help reduce the amount of dander.

You also NEED to remember that bathing your pet too frequently can have the opposite effect. It can dry your pet’s skin and cause the animal to shed more dander.

#05.Observe Excellent Hygienic Standards

Cleanliness is next to Godliness and it with no doubt a step to fewer allergies. So, ensure that your child washes his/her hands with soap and water after touching the pet. When they wash their hands, it helps them prevent the spread of allergens to their nose, eyes, and mouth. 

#06.Consult Your Allergist about the Right Allergy Treatment

The right treatment can work for almost any allergy symptoms, regardless of the cause.  However, not all medications can work well for all the allergy symptoms and patients. Buying over the counter drugs can seem like the cheapest and best way to go, but it may cause more issues.

So, talk to your allergist and get him/her to tailor your kid’s allergy medications according to their symptoms.