HOW TO CONTROL ALLERGIES.

1.        Wash your hands after handling any animal.  Try not to touch your face, especially your eyes & nose until after you have done so.  Keep some cleansing towelette packets handy for emergencies.

2.        Brush and comb your pet regularly.  This will keep mats and tangles that collect dirt, dander and pollen from forming.  Even more important, it removes loose hair before it has a chance to circulate throughout the house.  Rinsing your pet 1-2 times/week with distilled water will wash a great deal of pollen and dander down the drain.  Wiping your pet daily with a damp towel also removes dander and loose hair.

3.        Consider having your pet bathed and groomed by a professional groomer to keep the skin and coat healthy and minimize your own exposure to hair and dander.

4.        Pet sprays are available designed to reduce dander and shedding.  LoShedÒ and AllerpetÒ are two commonly available brands.  They are applied daily at first and then once or twice weekly after that.

5.        The house.  Keep everything as clean and free of dust and dander as possible.  Dust all surfaces regularly with a damp cloth.  Vacuum the floors instead of sweeping—it stirs up less dust.  Change vacuum bags frequently.  Make your vacuum cleaner more efficient by using electrostatic filter bags.  Open a screened window to improve ventilation.  Avoid heavy carpets, ornately carved or stuffed furniture, fabric wall coverings, textured wallpapers, dust gathering accessories, and rough textured curtains or drapes. 

The more washable surfaces in your home the better.  Choose furniture with smooth wooden surfaces and simple lines, walls that can be washed easily, blinds that wipe clean, and floors of hardwood, tile, or linoleum. 

Dust from cat litter can aggravate allergies.   Plain clay litter is less irritating than brands with deodorizers.  Try various brands to find the one that produces the least dust.  Pour the litter into the pan slowly to keep the dust from getting in the air.  Wear a gauze facemask when changing litter. 

Air purifiers can dramatically improve the quality of air inside your home.  One that contains a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is best for pet allergy suffers.  Air conditioners and humidifiers are very beneficial during the appropriate season, but they also collect mold and can cause problems if not cleaned regularly. 

Mold grows in damp and humid areas such as basements, attics, bathrooms, and closets.  Check the house for damp areas that might conceal molds.  Throw out all old or unused newspapers, books, magazines, clothing, and articles that are sources of mold and mildew. 

Since you cannot “allergy proof” your entire home, concentrate on the bedroom.  Experts say that if you can breathe “pure” air for 8-10 hours each night, you can probably tolerate more exposure to allergenic substances during the day.  Encase mattresses, box springs, and pillows in allergy-proof covers.  Use sheets,  pillowcases, mattress pads, and bedspreads made of 100% washable cotton or cotton flannel, free of chemical finishes.  Buy special non-allergenic pillows, or those filled with Dacron or polyester, NOT kapok, down, or feathers.  Air bedclothes outside in sunny weather.  Keep pets away from pillows or anything else that comes in contact with your nose or mouth.  Shut the bedroom door when you leave.  Don’t let your pet sleep with you or spend time in the bedroom, either with you or when you aren’t there.

6.        Avoid undue fatigue, emotional upsets, and stress.  These weaken the immune system to the point of triggering an allergic attack.  A healthy diet and lifestyle, and regular exercise and fresh air will improve your overall health and lessen the severity of allergies.  Don’t smoke.  If you are the least bit allergic, smoking will make things much worse and increase your chances of respiratory and other health problems, as well as lower your tolerance threshold.

16907 San Fernando Mission Blvd. Granada Hills, Ca. 91344 818-363-8143