Preventing Allergic Reactions and Odors from Pets

One of the most common allergens found in households is pet dander. Unbeknownst to most people, the allergens from pets actually result from dried saliva, feces, urine, and dandruff particles, not from the hairs themselves. People often stroke their cat or dog without realizing that they are ruining the quality of the air they breathe. By stroking your pet or allowing it to roam around your house freely, you are allowing the pet dander to be spread throughout your home and into your air. The best solution to this problem is an air purifier.

How It Starts

Many people believe that they are allergic to pet hair or fur, when they are actually experiencing symptoms that result from the dander or dust particles that are attached to their pet.

Cat dander is one of the most common allergens. As cats lick themselves their saliva dries and sticks to their fur. There is a protein called cat glycoprotein Fel d 1 found in cats' saliva that irritate peoples' eyes and nasal membranes, causing allergic reactions. As the cats move around, the flaky dander falls off their fur, floats around in the air, and eventually finds its way to the ground.

Dogs are also known as allergy-provokers. Many lick everything around them and end up carrying particles from feces (which may also give you conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye) to dog food in their saliva. The dog's saliva, as well as its urine and feces, contains many irritants and allergens that become airborne as soon as it dries.

Though much less common, dust particles found in birds' feathers can also stimulate allergic reactions. As birds rub their feathers together, dust particles are produced and become airborne. It is usually much more difficult for allergy sufferers who have pet birds because the birds release the dust from their wings when they fly and easily spread it throughout the room.

Small creatures such as gerbils and hamsters are also responsible for adding extra irritants and allergens to the air. These critters often come in contact with their own urine and feces, which dry and irritate the owner's skin or nasal passages.

In addition to dander and dried saliva, odors can also cause allergic reactions. These odors commonly come from litter boxes, urine, and feces.

How You Can Prevent It

Many people have tried replacing their pets with hypoallergenic cats and dogs. Hypoallergenic pets, such as a Sphynx or a poodle, have hair instead of fur. This has helped quite a few people, but not all of them. Those who are still allergic to hypoallergenic pets suffer from the same symptoms because the dander is not completely gone. It is only reduced.

Another way to help reduce the amount of dander and allergens is to wash your pets and yourself frequently. Studies show that brushing your cat or dog frequently can help reduce allergens by 60%! When brushing your pet, it is important that you don't breathe too close to your pet and that you wash your hands with soap after you are finished.

The best solution to prevent allergies (even for homes that have a hypoallergenic pet) is an air purifier. Pet air purifiers can help remove unwanted odors and allergens and prevent allergy symptoms from getting worse. The air purifiers usually feature technologies such as activated carbon, HEPA, ionization, and UV light, which are all perfect for removing pet allergens and odors. Activated carbon is commonly used in air purifiers to trap gases and eliminate odors. HEPA technology allows air purifiers to capture smaller, finer particles, such as pet dander and dried cat saliva. Ionizers produce negative ions that remove dust particles from the air, which in turn help remove gas and odor particles. UV air purifiers are able to reduce airborne bacteria, mold, and viruses to leave cleaner, fresher air.

AllerAir, Austin Air, Blueair, and IQAir air purifiers are the best purifiers for reducing pet dander and odors. AllerAir air purifiers easily remove odors and airborne pollutants, so they're perfect for homes with birds! Both Austin Air and Blueair air purifers contain heavy activated carbon filters as well as HEPA filters, so the horrendous odors left by hamsters and mice are absorbed and the dander is removed. IQAir is one of the best of its kind - all of the air purifiers by IQAir contain activated carbon and HEPA filters, and some even carry gas media filters to help reduce odors. These home and room purifiers are even trusted by hospitals and medical laboratories worldwide, so you can rest assured that they are capable of keeping your air dander-free and odorless!

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