Rethink Pet Allergies: It’s Not the Hair

Many people believe that a pet’s hair causes allergy symptoms. That’s not the case.  Animal dander, including proteins and saliva on the skin, cause allergy-symptoms when these particles flake off and are inhaled. Pets with longer hair don’t cause increased allergy symptoms, and unfortunately, even hypo-allergenic pets can cause allergies as they all produce dander.

Understand these key points about pet dander:

• Shedding dead skin cells, or dander, causes most pet allergies.
• These tiny allergy-causing particles can remain in the air for a long time, where you have more opportunity to breathe them in.
• Dander is very sticky and can travel on clothes to cause allergies outside the home. Thorough cleaning is necessary to reduce dander levels at home.
• It can take 6 months for dander in your home to no longer cause allergies.
• Soft furnishings, bedding and carpets collect dander.  Treating these areas is important, and using a HEPA air cleaner can be especially helpful since the dander remains airborne longer.

What’s Your Action Plan?

• We’re sad to say that the best action is to find a new home for your pet. If that’s not possible, keep your pet strictly out of your bedroom and wash your hands after all contact.