Are you or your child constantly sneezing, wheezing, or suffering from itchy eyes when spending time around the family dog? Pet allergies are common, especially among those with a history of allergies.
This condition is an allergic reaction to proteins found in an animal’s skin cells, saliva, or urine. The most common cause of the reaction is the dander, or dead flakes of skin that an animal sheds. While any animal with fur can cause an allergic reaction, these allergies are typically associated with cats and dogs.
The best way to identify the cause of the reaction is to head to your doctor for diagnosis. There are also several signs and symptoms you can watch for. We’ve put together a guide to help you care for your sniffly child – or yourself!
Does My Kid Have Allergies?
There are several common signs to look out for. This will help you determine if your child has allergies or a minor cold. Most importantly, these symptoms will likely worsen the longer your child is around an animal. They will subside when the two are apart.
Common pet allergy symptoms
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Congestion
- Postnasal drip
- Cough
If you or your child already suffer from asthma, you may notice some different and more severe symptoms. Pet allergies contributing to asthma may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain or tightness, and wheezing. In severe cases, pet exposure can trigger an asthma attack, which requires immediate medical attention.
It is important to seek care for trouble breathing and worsening asthma symptoms right away. The emergency-trained providers at The Urgency Room can quickly treat severe allergy attacks and asthma exacerbations.
Alternatively, some people can experience a skin reaction, commonly known as allergic dermatitis. Symptoms such as eczema, hives, and itchy skin will likely occur after contacting an animal.
How Serious Can Pet Allergies Be?
Pet allergies can range from mild discomfort to serious health concerns. For some, symptoms may be limited to sneezing and nasal congestion. However, for those with asthma or severe allergies, exposure to pet dander can lead to dangerous respiratory issues.
In rare cases, individuals may experience anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical intervention.
Long-term exposure to pet allergens can also contribute to chronic conditions such as sinus infections or persistent asthma flare-ups. If you or your child experiences severe symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical guidance. The Urgency Room is equipped to handle allergic reactions and provide immediate care if symptoms become severe.
How to Treat These Allergies in Children
If you suspect your child has a pet allergy, make an appointment with your pediatrician, who can make an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will likely perform a physical examination, examine your child’s medical history, and order a blood or skin test. After diagnosis, he or she will prescribe the best treatment for your child.
Ultimately, the ideal treatment is preventative: simply avoid contact with furry animals altogether. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy. Even if you don’t have a pet, your friend or child’s playmate probably does. If you can, avoid spending time in homes filled with pet dander, and if you have a pet yourself, try to keep ither outside or in the garage only.
Washing your hands and changing clothes after contact with pets can also help minimize allergen exposure. Your doctor may also suggest medication or other measures to help manage symptoms.
Can You Live with a Pet You’re Allergic To?
If rehoming a pet is not an option, there are ways to reduce allergen exposure and manage symptoms effectively.
- Use a HEPA air purifier to filter dog dander and other allergens from the air, reducing your allergic reaction to dogs
- Create pet-free zones in your home, especially in bedrooms, to limit allergen accumulation.
- Bathe and groom your pet regularly to reduce the amount of dander they shed.
- Clean your home frequently, including vacuuming with a HEPA filter and washing bedding and upholstery.
- Consider allergy medications such as antihistamines, nasal sprays, or immunotherapy (allergy shots) as prescribed by a doctor.
Keep the pet out of your child’s room or out of the house altogether. This will help avoid contaminating clothes, bedding, and carpeting. If you can, remove carpet and upholstered furniture in the areas of your home where your pet typically spends time.
The allergens will attach to these things easier than they might to leather furniture or wood flooring. Even replacing your curtains can help reduce the presence of the allergen in your home.
While these measures can help, those with severe pet allergies should consult a doctor to determine whether living with a pet is a safe option. Managing pet allergies requires consistency and may not eliminate symptoms entirely.
Lifestyle Changes
Once you or your child have been diagnosed with a pet allergy, you may want to change a few things about your lifestyle. This may include finding a new home for your pet or making significant changes to your home if you decide to keep him.
If You Decide to Rehome Your Pet
While finding a new home for your pet can eliminate the source of your allergies, you may still have a significant amount of allergen throughout your house for several weeks or months. This can cause symptoms to linger longer than you may have hoped. The good news is that there are some things you can do to help speed up the dissipation process.
Your first step is to deep clean your entire home—and if you’re the one with the allergy, you might want to call in a professional to handle this. This includes cleaning the walls and ceilings, as well as washing clothes, dusting, and vacuuming thoroughly.
The next thing you should do is replace upholstered furniture, carpet, and bedding if possible. These types of materials can be harder to clean and hold in the allergen longer.
Treat Your Allergies at The Urgency Room
Allergies are usually relatively harmless, but severe reactions can be life-threatening. If you notice you or your child dealing with severe allergy symptoms, head to the nearest Urgency Room today to be diagnosed and treated.