The only definite cure for a pet allergy is to banish the offending animal from your residence. If you don’t want to give up Fluffy, there are ways to reduce your exposure to allergies and alleviate your symptoms.
Medications
You can manage allergies and asthma with the use of the following drugs and treatments:
- Antihistamines are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can aid with itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Examples of these drugs include Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, and Clarinex OTC.
- Nasal corticosteroids like Flonase, which is now sold without a prescription, or Nasonex may lessen inflammation and manage symptoms.
- An over-the-counter nasal spray containing cromolyn sodium may help lessen symptoms, particularly if it is administered before they start.
- Decongestants reduce bloated nasal passage tissues, making breathing easier. These are offered as a nasal spray or in oral form.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots) exposes you to the animal protein (allergen) that is triggering the reaction and works to make your body less sensitive, which lessens symptoms. An allergist administers shots, which are frequently used as long-term treatments in more severe conditions.
- If you cannot take nasal corticosteroids or antihistamines, leukotriene modifiers, which are prescription drugs, may be suggested. When no other options are available, montelukast (Singulair) will only be utilized due to the danger of significant behavioral and mental disturbances.
Natural remedies
A daily saline (salt water) rinse to rid nasal passages of allergens may be helpful for some persons with dog allergies. Congestion and postnasal drip symptoms can be managed with a nasal lavage.
Nasal lavage kits and over-the-counter saline sprays are widely accessible. Additionally, you can create your own by combining distilled water and 1/8 teaspoon table salt.
Lifestyle changes
Dog owners can take a number of steps within the house to lower allergies. They consist of:
- establishing dog-free areas (certain rooms, such as a bedroom, where the dog is not allowed)
- weekly dog baths with a pet-friendly shampoo (done by a non-allergic person)
- removing any materials that can attract dander, such as carpeting, upholstered furniture, horizontal blinds, curtains, and so on
- reducing airborne allergens in the home by employing high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers
- retaining the canine outside (only in certain climates in a well-contained area and under humane conditions)
- checking out dog breeds that are hypoallergenic
- introducing a new pet to the family during a trial period to gauge how the family members would respond to the new dog
How do I get over my allergy to dogs?
7 Strategies to Prevent Pet Allergies
- Clean up. You should wash your pets once or twice a week, ideally.
- Make the bedroom a no-pets area.
- Regularly comb or brush.
- Clear and tidy.
- Use an air filter that can capture allergens.
- Think about the entire environment.
- Speak with a doctor.
- Sources:
What medication may I take if I have a dog allergy?
These medications include triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR), mometasone furoate (Nasonex), fluticasone propionate (Flonase Allergy Relief), and ciclesonide (Omnaris). In comparison to oral corticosteroids, nasal corticosteroids offer a low dose of the medication and carry a significantly lower risk of side effects.
Can allergies to dogs disappear?
Pet allergies are annoying for both people who enjoy animals and other people who come into contact with them. Since animals shed their skin and fur, pet allergies can have an impact on day-to-day life. Although any animal with fur has the potential to create a pet allergy, cats and dogs are the most frequently responsible. It might not be practical or desirable to avoid animals. Examining pet allergies and addressing their symptoms is important.
How long do pet allergy symptoms last?
Until the animal is fully removed from the house, allergic symptoms will persist. However, because pet dander and fur can stay in a home for months or even years thereafter, many symptoms might persist for months. Often, carpets retain pet fur and dander for a longer period of time. You must either replace the carpets or carefully clean them with a HEPA filter if you wish to lessen symptoms. Similarly, whereas other furniture can be washed, with regard to cloth furniture.
Up until you establish a new baseline without immunity, the initial allergy assault can linger for about two weeks. However, because everyone is unique, some individuals might not notice a difference until all allergies have been eliminated. Traveling to locations where animals may reside might exacerbate and prolong allergy problems. These locations include camping, friends’ houses, zoos, animal shelters, pet shops, and many others.
How long does animal dander last?
Pet dander has an extremely long shelf life and can adhere to almost anything in the house. Pet dander typically remains in a household for four to six months after a pet moves out. Due to its more airborne nature, cat dander lasts longer than dog dandruff.
Do allergies to pets go away?
Animal allergies may outgrow them, although this is not likely. Additionally, even those allergies have a chance of disappearing and then returning. Having pets won’t make it easier to get used to allergies either. Some people may experience severe allergy symptoms during certain seasons, notably during the summer when animals shed more.
How do you treat pet allergies?
The best way to treat pet allergies is to absolutely avoid all animals. However, there are a few therapy options accessible if you are unable or unwilling to avoid animals.
To start, you can use bronchodilators, antihistamines, and nasal sprays to reduce symptoms, but this won’t solve the issue permanently. To determine which choice is ideal for you, you might need to experiment with a few different ones. Additionally, think about combining drugs like antihistamines and nasal sprays. If you are on any other medications, talk to your doctor.
Additionally, allergy injections might gradually lessen symptoms over time. Weekly allergen injections over a three- to ten-year period are part of allergy shot therapy. Another choice is to designate a space in your house that is pet-free. To lessen allergies in the air, use HEPA purifiers. Keep animals outside and out of the house as much as you can.
Homeopathic treatments can also provide some solace. In some circumstances, local honey and essential oils can be helpful. Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system and might provide minimal support for allergies to animals. Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning any new therapy.
How do you get over pet allergies?
The only currently available treatment for pet allergies is allergy injections. The symptoms are covered up by all other techniques. Simply overcoming pet allergies would be comparable to overcoming diabetes or cancer. While some people appear to outgrow their allergies, the majority of people do not, and they must make appropriate plans.
What does a cat allergy look like?
Everybody has a distinct reaction to cats. The majority of patients, however, experience one or more of the following symptoms: runny or stuffy nose, runny eyes, hives, rash, coughing, wheezing, and so on. Some people could have breathing issues severe enough to require an inhaler.
Can you suddenly become allergic to cats?
It is possible to develop a cat allergy unexpectedly. The cause of sudden, lifelong animal allergies is unknown to medical professionals and scientists, but the therapy is the same.
How long do allergic reactions to cats last?
The allergic symptoms continue long after the cat has left the house and until every last bit of pet dander has been removed. Additionally, cats sweat more during the summer, and you could notice that your allergy symptoms worsen.
Can you suddenly become allergic to dogs?
Yes, even if you’ve never had issues before, you can suddenly develop an allergy to dogs. Our immune systems may not respond well to new or even old things in our lifelike pets as we get older or move. Additionally, you might discover that just certain dog breeds with greater dander trigger your allergies. Even within the same breed, you may find that you are allergic to one dog but not another because not all dogs are created equal.
Do dog allergies get worse over time?
Cat and dog allergies both have a tendency to worsen with time. Since allergies are an immune system reaction, they might get worse over time if your immune system is compromised. Your allergies may get worse if you let your dog sit on your lap and lick you. To help reduce allergens, try to limit what you can, such as licking, and give your pet regular baths.
Can you build up an immunity to dog allergies?
You can effectively develop immunity to dog allergies using allergy injections. However, merely being around dogs and their dander won’t help your immunity over time. Being sad is not the best way to raise immunity, hopefully. You can notice that you have frequent illnesses and endanger your health over time. With the assistance of an allergist, you can use allergy shots to gradually boost your immunity.
Is it possible to get used to dog allergies?
Even though you can eventually grow used to sniffling, sneezing, and itchy eyes, your body and immune system will suffer as a result. Dog allergies make it impossible for people to get used to having trouble breathing.
You can manage your allergies to dogs more easily with assistance. Keep dogs out of one room. Get an air purifier, clean frequently, change your air filters regularly, and attempt to minimize your dog’s shedding by giving it frequent baths and brushings. Take over-the-counter medication next to lessen your discomfort. To lessen allergens in your home, if at all feasible, keep your dogs outside. If your dog decides to sit or slobber on you, change your clothes.
What are the worst dog breeds for allergies?
There are some breeds that are worse for allergy sufferers to choose from if you want a dog but have allergies. Akita, labrador, pomeranian, saint bernard, german shepherd, doberman, and boston terriers should also be avoided. Siberian huskies, basset hounds, dachshunds, springer spaniels, and boxers should also be avoided. To lessen but not completely eliminate allergens, seek out dogs with hair rather than fur.
Can pet allergies weaken your immune system?
Yes, allergies to pets can make you less healthy. Furthermore, ignoring the allergy may result in additional sickness and breathing problems. Your body is strained by allergens, and your health declines with time. Never let your immune system cause you to get complacent.
Do air purifiers work for pet allergies?
Air purifiers help minimize airborne allergies, but to remove more and smaller particles, you must choose one with a HEPA filter. An air purifier, however, is not a panacea and cannot completely get rid of pet hair or dander. They are also pricey, need constant upkeep, and benefit from fresh filters.
What is the best medicine for pet allergies?
The best treatment for pet allergies is an antihistamine since they prevent allergens from impairing your immune system. Several over-the-counter medicines are available, or you can ask your doctor for a stronger antihistamine. Decongestants and nasal sprays are other options for treating symptoms. For those who have difficulty breathing due to allergies to pets, there are no viable solutions.
What allergy treatment for pets works the best?
The OTC versions of fluticasone (Flonase), triamcinolone, and budesonide (Rhinocort) are corticosteroid nasal sprays (Nasacort). These drugs are thought to be the best ones for allergies in pets. They can be taken if you experience allergic rhinitis symptoms including sneezing, itching, or runny nose.
Antihistamines for mild pet allergies
Antihistamine pills are the first-line treatment for minor pet allergies that cause sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes, according to Dr. Qamar. He notes that there are a few different types of antihistamines, but some people respond better to one type than another. For instance, Claritin may work effectively for someone with mild allergies. Zyrtec might work better for someone else with more severe allergies. Although Zyrtec may be more beneficial in some patients, according to Dr. Qamar, “around 10% of people can become tired with it.
“I generally recommend Allegra or Xyzal if someone has noticeable allergies and they frequently become sedated with medicine,” she explains.
The following antihistamines are a few that are frequently used to treat pet allergies.
Does Zyrtec help allergies in dogs?
relief from pet allergy A medication for dog and cat allergies can help reduce your pet allergy symptoms if you are unable to live without your pet. ZYRTEC kicks in at hour one and keeps going strong all day long to help you lessen the symptoms of your cat and dog allergies.
Can Reactine treat allergies to pets?
An antihistamine called cetirizine (Zyrtec, Reactine) is used to treat and prevent pruritus (itching) brought on by atopic dermatitis, urticaria (hives), and allergic reactions to bug bites in canines and felines.
It is used “off-label” in cats and dogs. In veterinary medicine, many medications are frequently administered for off-label use. In these situations, pay close attention to your veterinarian’s instructions and warnings.
How is cetirizine given?
Cetirizine is administered orally as a pill or syrup. You can administer it with or without food. Try administering the medication with a little amount of food if your pet vomits after taking it or appears ill. Carefully measure liquid forms.
The symptoms of your pet should start to improve in one to two hours after this treatment starts to work.
What if I miss giving my pet the medication?
If you forget to administer a dose of your pet’s twice-daily cetirizine, just administer the subsequent dose when it’s time.
If you are just taking the medication once per day, take it as soon as you remember and keep taking it at the same time every day. Never administer additional dosages or two doses at once to your pet.
Are there any potential side effects?
Usually, cetirizine has no negative side effects. Some dogs have been noted to vomit and salivate more. Small dogs and cats have reportedly experienced tiredness at large doses. Inform your veterinarian of any side effects that are severe or get worse.
The effects of this quick-acting medicine should wear off after 24 hours, though they may last longer in animals with liver or renal illness.
Are there any risk factors for this medication?
In dogs and cats, DO NOT use combination products containing pseudoephedrine. Patients with a history of hydroxyzine or cetirizine hypersensitivity should not take either medication (Atarax, Vistaril).
Cetirizine should be administered to animals with caution:
- working dogs, as they may become tired and unable to fulfill their duties, who have a seizure disorder, difficulty urinating, or who look to be constipated, who are elderly, have thyroid disorders, prostatic enlargement, heart, kidney, or liver illness, or who are pregnant or nursing moms.
Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?
Digoxin (Lanoxin, Cardoxin), as well as central nervous system depressants like diazepam (Valium), and alprazolam, are known to interact with cetirizine (Xanax, Niravam). Tell your vet about any medications your pet is receiving, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments.
Two weeks before to the test, this medication should be stopped since it may interfere with intradermal allergy testing.
Is there any monitoring that needs to be done with this medication?
For cetirizine, there is no need for any special monitoring. To determine whether the medication is working, your veterinarian might want to examine your pet. Watch out for negative effects.
How do I store cetirizine?
Cetirizine pills must be kept at room temperature, between 20 and 25 C, in their original container (68-77F). Syrups for consumption should be kept cold or at room temperature.
What should I do in case of an emergency?
Overdoses of cetirizine products that also include pseudoephedrine can be dangerous even though the chance of one is low. Call your veterinarian’s office right away if you think your pet may have taken too much medication or is having an unfavorable reaction to it. Follow their instructions for contacting an emergency facility if they are not readily available.
