Pet Dander Allergies? Here Are A Couple Of Suggestions
Many people consider their pets to be more than just animals; they consider them members of their family. But what if you or a member of your human family develops an allergy to your furry friend? We suggest taking large steps for acute reactions. However, if the reaction is minor, there are a few things you can do to reduce the severity of the allergy. Some allergy sufferers can be affected by pet dander; read on to find out how to avoid coughing, sneezing, and itching.
What Causes a Reaction to Pet Dander That Is Allergic?
This is a difficult question to address. As a result, let’s begin at the beginning: what exactly is an allergic reaction? Simply put, an allergic reaction occurs when your immune system reacts to a particle that has the potential to damage you. The immune system releases antibodies to protect any foreign particle is in your system when you have an allergic reaction. Your cells can respond by releasing histamine, which can cause blood vessels to dilate and trigger allergy symptoms.
Someone’s immune system is overly susceptible to the skin particles that pets release when they have a reaction to pet dander. Dander does not come from pet fur, contrary to common opinion. Our dogs, like humans, shed skin cells on a regular basis. Though pet hair traps dander and aids in the spread of the allergen in your house, it does not cause the allergic reaction.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
As previously stated, pet allergies can cause an allergic reaction in the body. Depending on your immune system and the nature of the allergic reaction, allergies will manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Some people will have an asthma attack, and others will only have minor congestion.
Allergies to pet dander can cause the following symptoms:
- Asthma attacks
- Sneezing or coughing
- Itchy, red, watery, or irritated eyes
- Runny nose
- Itchy throat or roof of the mouth
- Postnasal drip
- Fatigue
- Facial pressure or pain
What Should I Do to Safeguard My Family?
The first step is to stick to a daily cleaning schedule. Vacuum at least once a day to ensure that no pet hair or dust accumulates on baseboards, chairs, or in any of your home’s corners. Choose low-pile carpets and get them professionally washed on a regular basis.
Next, keep your pet out of your bedroom as much as possible. Having a pet-free room will provide relief to allergy sufferers. To keep dander out of the home, wash or groom your pet outside. Often, make sure the allergy sufferer changes and washes their clothes on a regular basis.
What Role Does HVAC Play in This?
Pet dander is unique in that it is extremely small. We talk about the importance of HVAC filters a lot at Service Champions. This is an excellent example of how a filter can make a significant difference. Animal dander can be effectively removed from your indoor air by using a filter with a high MERV (Minimum Efficient Reporting Value) mark. A filter with a low MERV ranking, on the other hand, will be unable to catch those particles, allowing them to circulate in your home.
We suggest purchasing an air purifier in addition to air filters. This UV kit works in conjunction with your current HVAC system. It’s normally installed right after the air filter in your ductwork. The air scrubber is the last line of protection against airborne contaminants such as dust, dander, and viruses. UV rays “zap” contaminants as they pass through the purifier, making them too hard to travel through the atmosphere and keeping them out of your air supply.
Finally, the only way to deal with pet dander is to get your HVAC system serviced on a regular basis. Our technicians will disassemble and clean any component of your furnace or air conditioner during a tune-up. They’ll make sure there’s no dust or dander in your system and examine the implications of your ductwork. By doing routine maintenance, you can catch minor issues before they become major ones.
Do you want to keep your allergies at bay? Make a call to Earth Temp HVAC.
At Earth Temp HVAC, we consider pets to be members of the family. As a result, our technicians have been certified to come up with the most cutting-edge solutions to your pet dander allergy issues. Make an appointment today if you reside in our service areas and if your not sure if we service the area you’re in, simply give us a call or fill out our online form and we will respond asap to you.