Stop the Seasons Sneezin

Allergic to Animals? Try These Tips

Animal dander is among the most common allergens. Any furred or feathered animal can be a source of animal dander. Dander is not hair, so forget the myth that short-haired animals are less allergenic than long-hairs. Dander is a group of proteins present in pet saliva and urine, and on skin cells that have shed. (Like humans, pets shed skin cells all the time.) Dander is easily airborne. Cats produce more dander than dogs, so they’re more likely to provoke allergic reactions. To avoid pet allergies:

• When you move, ask about the previous residents. It takes three to six months for dander to completely disappear. If the residents before you had pets, you can expect problems for a while.

• Consider wood floors and wood or leather furniture. Carpeting and upholstered furniture are major reservoirs of animal dander. If you can’t bear to eliminate carpeting and upholstery, vacuum frequently — wear a dust mask or have someone else do it — and have rugs professionally cleaned a few times a year.

• Steer clear of pets. If you can’t bear to part with yours, at least keep your bedroom pet-free. Bathe your pet weekly, or better yet, have someone else do it.

Dust Mites: A Common Problem

We all constantly shed tiny flecks of skin. Dust mites eat them. Add a certain amount of humidity, and you get hordes of these microscopic bugs. At a temperature of about 75 degrees with relative humidity in the range of 60 to 80 percent, the typical home contains 1,000 dust mites per gram of household dust. In the United States, dust mite populations are largest from July through December. Bedrooms and living rooms have the highest concentrations. Hordes of mites can be found in mattresses, pillows, carpets and bedding. The pesky bugs also are abundant in upholstered furniture, and clothing and stuffed animals contain quite a few as well. If you have dust mite allergy:

• Encase your mattress in a plastic, mite-proof cover. This is the best way to limit your exposure.

• Wash bed linens, blankets and stuffed animals in hot water weekly.

• Use a dehumidifier. Dust mites thrive in humid conditions, so keep your home on the dry side. Spanish immunologists collected dust samples from 10 homes, some of which had dehumidifiers. They counted the number of mites in each home’s dust and found the lowest numbers in samples from homes with dehumidifiers.

• Remove carpets, especially from your bedroom.

• Limit upholstered furniture.

• Place plastic coverings over your pillows, under your pillowcases.