I"m Allergic to My Best Friend

We all (hopefully) have someone in our lives who sticks with us through thick and thin, through bad times and good times and who loves us unconditionally. For me, that person is not really a person (but I love to pretend she is), but a cat. Her name is Chloe and she’s been faithfully by my side for 6 years. She sometimes acts more like a dog, coming when I call her, giving me kisses and preferring cuddling (but only with me!) over food. She’s been there for me through a divorce, through the ends of other relationships and four homes. She knows when I’m sick or upset and is even more affectionate during those times. She never talks back, questions me or argues with me. Sometimes she annoys the hell out of me, but I can never stay mad at her. And likewise, sometimes I make her mad (like when I take her to the vet or try to harness-train her) but she quickly forgives me. Call me a crazy cat lady, but that’s love.

But unfortunately, I’m allergic to her.

As a child, I was severely allergic to cats (as well as dogs), and I remember a car ride that involved taking our two cats to a shelter because I was too sick with them around. As a teenager, my parents got a couple dogs and then a few cats. I did experience allergic reactions to them, but they were tolerable and it was mostly sneezing and sinus issues. I can visit some houses with a cat and feel completely fine and then I go into others and am wheezing, my eyes are swollen and I’m just totally miserable. It doesn’t seem to be related to the number of cats or the breed.

Six years ago, I made the decision to adopt Chloe. Some may say it was irresponsible to get a cat, knowing that I have an allergy to them and I can’t say I disagree. My first few weeks with Chloe were awful. I had allergic shiners (visible in the picture), I couldn’t breathe, my sinus problems were awful. I felt so bad (both physically and emotionally at the thought of being allergic to my kitten!) Allergists and ENT doctors bemoaned my decision and were frustrated that I’d do that to myself. While I certainly wouldn’t recommend someone with pet allergies get a pet, it was the choice I made and I had to find ways to live with it.

For my allergies, the first couple weeks were the worst. We spent a lot of time researching to see what we could do to keep Chloe and keep my allergies and asthma at bay. These are the steps we took:

1. We purchased Allerpet-C and wiped Chloe down with a warm wash cloth and the Allerpet-C solution. According to the website, “Allerpet/C gently cleanses your cat’s hair of saliva, dander and sebaceous gland secretions which contain Fel d1, the prime cause of allergic reactions.”

2. We vacuumed non-stop. Having a vacuum with a HEPA filter is best for allergies because it can trap even smaller particles than regular vacuum.

3. We used an air purifier with a HEPA filter. These work wonders for reducing or eliminating allergens in the air especially if you have sinus or asthma problems. This is the one I have. It’s reasonably priced, perfect for a small room and has a permanent filter which is easily cleaned with a vacuum.

4. I took a daily allergy pill. While it doesn’t help for my seasonal allergies AT ALL, taking Claritin every day for the first month reduced my symptoms.I now take Singulair, which helps even more (with my asthma and all of my environmental allergies).

5. We tried not to let her into the bedroom. This is an important tip than any allergist will give you. It’s easier said than done, and I can’t say we always won this battle (as you can see from the above picture). It’s important to have at least one room with as little amount of pet dander as possible and the best place to do this is the bedroom. When you have allergies and there is pet dander all over the place, it’s impossible to have restorative sleep and you will wake up feeling un-rested, stuffy, allergic or worse.

Even though allergy tests still show that I’m highly allergic to cats, it seems that over time, I’ve developed a tolerance to Chloe, if that’s even possible. Occasionally, I get congested or my eyes gets itchy and swollen, but for the most part, it’s nothing some Benadryl won’t fix. Even when my allergies do bother me, the unconditional love and companionship she provide me outweigh the negatives of a stuffy nose and itchy eyes.

Do you have allergies to pets? Do you have them anyway, or do you avoid them?

Tags: asthma, cat allergies, cats, dog allergies, dogs, environmental allergies, family, friends, memories, pet allergies, pets

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The Best Dogs for Allergic People

By Anna Lee

A lot of focus was placed on hypoallergenic dog breeds when President elect Obama promised his daughters, Sasha and Malia, that a new puppy would be moving into the White House with them. The cause of so much attention on their choice of dog (which ended up being a Portuguese Water Dog) was due to the fact that young Malia is allergic to dogs.

Many families face a similar problem as more and more people develop allergies but still want the responsibility (and the joy) of becoming dog owners. Here are some breeds that are considered good for families with allergies.

Schnauzers: the Miniature Schnauzer is an adorable little dog that loves kids, but requires discipline and socializing with other dogs. This little guy doesn’t think he is small and will try to take on larger dogs. Schnauzers tend to bark a lot, and make good guard dogs because of this. They weigh anywhere from 10-15 pounds and have a 15 year life expectancy.

If you want a larger dog, the Giant Schnauzer is a good choice. They are quick to learn but need discipline as they will try to take over. They can weigh up to 80 pounds and require exercise to release some energy. Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Bichon Frise: If you want a small hypoallergenic dog, try the Bichon. They are adorable little dogs, requiring grooming every 4 weeks. They are small enough to carry around with you! Bichons are extremely intelligent and have a happy temperament. They prefer to be with people and are great with kids. Housebreaking might take a little longer than usual with this breed. They weigh from 7 to 12 pounds; life expectancy is about 15 years.

Designer Dogs: Cockapoo, Labradoodle and Schnoodle

These hypoallergenic Designer Dogs (i.e., a cross between two purebred dogs) take on the traits of each breed.

* The Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Sizes range from teacup weighing less than 6 pounds to maxi at 19 pounds. They are playful dogs and they love everyone. If you want a small, fun-loving dog that would fit well into any lifestyle, this is a perfect choice. They are fast learners, and you need to stay one step ahead of them.

* The Labradoodle is a mixture of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. A yellow Labradoodle looks like a Yellow Lab with a soft perm! A Lab mixed with just about any breed with result in a wonderful, loving dog. It is the ‘poodle’ part of the mix that makes the designer Labradoodle hypoallergenic. Depending upon the breeder, the dog can have smooth hair like a Lab, or wavy hair.

* The Schnoodle is a Schnauzer Poodle mix, and they are a great family dog. Because both breeds are hypoallergenic, this dog is very allergy friendly. They are loyal, affectionate, obedient and loving, and have lots of personality. Whether you live in an apartment or a farm, they will fit in fine as long as they are with people. They love to ride in the car, so plan your family vacations with them in mind.

The Portuguese Water Dog is classified as a gun dog by the United Kennel Club. Its original job was to herd fish into nets and to retrieve broken nets and lost tackle. They have a wavy coat and do not shed. These are not low maintenance dogs, as they require a lot of grooming. Although basically a quiet breed, they do have a loud bark. They have strong wills so discipline and obedience training is necessary. If you’ve seen any news segments on the “First Dog,” you may have noticed he is extremely playful! Life expectancy is 10-14 years.

More hypoallergenic breeds to consider: most Terriers, the Chinese Hairless, Irish Water Spaniel and Spanish Water Dog.

You can be a dog owner even if you or your family members have allergies. Get a dog from the above list and enjoy responsible pet ownership! It is suggested that once you decide on a particular breed, you spend some time with one in order to properly determine that you are not allergic to it. A small investment of time will pay off big time in the end.

Read more articles by Anna Lee

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Dog Food Allergy - What"s The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies?

Any allergy sufferer can understand the debilitating effects of allergies. Not being able to spend time outside can be boring. For useful advice for living with allergies, keep reading!

Allergies can be responsible for post-nasal drip which in turn can cause sore throats, and a good way to battle this symptom is to gargle with salt water. Combine warm water with table salt, tilt your head back and swish the mixture around in your mouth. This can help soothe your irritated throat.

Learn what items contain latex so that you can eliminate them from your home if you have a latex allergy. Make sure you avoid latex bandages, clothing, gloves, and condoms. Alternatives can be found for a lot of these things. Ask your pharmacist for some advice on where you can locate them. Additionally, make sure you check products for latex warnings, as this will prevent you from being surprised.

Allergies: Signs and Symptoms Take the trash out. You can be allergic to the rodents and bugs that are attracted to your garbage. In the presence of mice dropping, your allergy symptoms may become more pronounced. If you suspect you have a problem with pests, set out traps. Try poison if it doesn’t work.

If allergies cause your eyes to be itchy or dry, remember not to rub them. Instead, use an eye drop with antihistamine to help ease the symptoms. The more you rub your eyes, the more prone you are to irritation and even infection. Keep your hands off and use medicinal drops to treat the condition.

Olive trees are beautiful and add design elements to your landscape. They are especially popular in Western states. Unfortunately, these trees create a lot of pollen. You should research this tree and others that produce a lot of pollen and make sure you stay away from them. A great way to get rid of the pollen is to spray the tree down with a hose for a few minutes every day.

Allergy sufferers should dust weekly, if not more often. Use a dust mask while dusting. Dusting can lower the amount of airborne allergens in your home significantly. Do it every week instead of letting visible dust accumulations develop.

Many pet-friendly homes have way too much dander, and allergy shots can’t combat it. You have to put your pets outside and make sure that you clean your house and rugs. Of course, this may not be as easy as it sounds!

Buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter if you have problems with free-flying allergens. A HEPA filter can be used to reduce the dander, mold spores and pollen in your home’s air. Look for a brand that carries a filter that could be cleaned in order to save money as opposed to purchasing disposable filters each month.

Although they’re caused by our body’s protective mechanisms, allergies can be very annoying. Because people don’t know enough about allergies, they end up suffering. After reviewing the advice presented in this article, you may find yourself better equipped to take on your allergies and minimize the amount of trouble they cause you. .

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The Best Treatment for Dog Allergies

Dog Skin Allergies

Allergies in your dog are much like the allergies in humans. Your dog can have a reaction to airborne allergens, foods or things on their skin. By learning the symptoms you can provide relief.

Dog Skin Allergies

Fleas and inhalants will cause itching, licking, chewing and scratching. These can occur on the paws, forelegs, around the rectum and on the tail. Sneezing and runny eyes can also occur with inhalant allergens. Allergies to food are usually vomiting and diarrhea. There are a number of allergies that can cause hives and other rashes. The object with any of these is to find dog allergies treatment.

Dog Skin Allergies

Seasonal allergies are prominent in the spring and fall. Fleas are common during the summer or flea season. Dog allergies treatment for seasonal allergies is primarily seasonal as well. A continuous flea allergy protection regimen will alleviate the issues created by fleas.

Dog Skin Allergies

If your dog has any of these symptoms it is advisable to consult with your vet. Some of them can be indicative of other medical problems.

Allergies to inhalants in your home can be treated by frequent dusting, vacuuming and removal of spores, dust, chemicals and air fresheners. Your veterinarian may prescribe antihistamines to help while the skin heals and the allergens decrease. A warm soothing bath with an oatmeal shampoo is effective dog allergies treatment in many instances.

If fleas are the culprit, grooming and examination can help. You will see flea droppings and fleas. Bathe your dog with a flea shampoo and rinse with a soothing rinse.

Dog food allergies can present some other issues. It is difficult to determine the exact allergen in the foods. it must be done before successful dog allergies treatment is begun. Often the veterinarian will suggest hypoallergenic diets for your dog. A home cooked diet is also an option. You will be required to careful observe your dog for symptoms and relief of those symptoms.

The Best Treatment for Dog Allergies

Dog Skin Allergies

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