How to Get Rid of Pet Allergies

Pet allergies are a common problem, affecting up to 10% of the population. While there is no cure for pet allergies, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

1. Keep Your Pet Out of Your Bedroom

One of the best ways to reduce your exposure to pet allergens is to keep your pet out of your bedroom. This will help to keep the levels of allergens in your bedroom low, which can help to reduce your symptoms.

If you have a pet that is difficult to keep out of your bedroom, you can try using a pet-free air purifier in your bedroom. This can help to remove pet allergens from the air and make it easier for you to breathe.

2. Bathe Your Pet Frequently

Another way to reduce your exposure to pet allergens is to bathe your pet frequently. This will help to remove loose dander and hair from your pet's coat, which can help to reduce the amount of allergens in your home.

When bathing your pet, be sure to use a shampoo that is specifically designed for pets. These shampoos are gentler on your pet's skin and coat, and they can help to remove more allergens than regular human shampoos.

3. Vacuum Your Home Regularly

Vacuuming your home regularly is a great way to remove pet allergens from your floors and furniture. Be sure to vacuum all of the areas where your pet spends time, including the carpets, rugs, and furniture.

When vacuuming, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters are able to trap very small particles, including pet allergens. This will help to remove more allergens from your home than a vacuum cleaner with a regular filter.

4. Use Pet Allergy Medications

If you are still experiencing symptoms of pet allergies, you may want to consider using pet allergy medications. There are a number of different pet allergy medications available, including over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Over-the-counter pet allergy medications can help to reduce symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Prescription pet allergy medications can be more effective at reducing symptoms, but they may also have more side effects.

5. Get Allergy Shots

If you have severe pet allergies, you may want to consider getting allergy shots. Allergy shots can help to desensitize you to pet allergens, which can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Allergy shots are typically given once or twice a week for a period of several months. Once you have completed the series of allergy shots, you may need to continue to get maintenance shots every few months or years to maintain your desensitization.