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Are you sneezing and coughing every time your pet comes near you? Are you worried you might be allergic to your pet? It turns out, pet allergies are a common problem. The good news is, you don’t have to give up your furry friend. Your allergist can help you manage your pet allergies.

What You Need To Know About Pet Allergies

If you think you might be allergic to your pet, the first step is to see your allergist for allergy testing, using a skin test or a blood test. Pet dander and pet fur are common allergens, and your allergist can identify if you are allergic to cats, dogs, or other animals.

If you do have pet allergies, your allergist may recommend allergy injections, sublingual immunotherapy, prescription antihistamines and decongestants, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and other treatments. One of the best ways you can manage pet allergies is to keep your pet off of furniture and out of your bedroom. You should also:

• Vacuum frequently or consider replacing carpeting with solid flooring
• Use hypo-allergenic sheets, pillowcases, and pillows
• Place HEPA filters in your house, especially your bedroom
• Make a pet-free zone in your house to reduce allergens
• Keep your pet outside as much as possible to reduce allergens

Remember to keep your pet as clean as possible by having someone without allergies bathe your pet at least once each week. Have someone brush your pet regularly to limit shedding.

Severe pet allergies may lead to an asthma attack. Your allergist can help you manage asthma too, and may recommend:

• Short-term rescue inhalers for acute asthma episodes
• Long-term asthma medications to manage asthma

Want To Know More About Pet Allergies?

If you have pet allergies, you may not have to part with your furry friend. Your allergist can help you get relief from pet allergies. To find out more about the management of pet allergies and how your allergist can help, call your allergist today.