How To Protect Kids From Pet Allergies

Written by: Archana Mukherji 

Pets are always fun to be with. They make great companions. Once they get accustomed to your family members, they become a huge part of the family themselves. They love and care for you equally, like a family member would do. But one thing that is concerning for most parents who have little kids is that they might be prone to some kind of pet allergies. But what is the reason for such allergies? It is all our carelessness and lack of attention towards our pets and kids. 

Ways To Prevent Pet Allergies At Home 
If you know the ways to protect kids from allergies, you will never have to forsake your pets. There are many people who take a drastic decision to immediately get rid of their pets when they find that their child is allergic to pets. This is a very sad happening because it is just like abandoning a family member because you think he/she is not fit enough to be with you. When you plan to have a pet, you should also know how to protect kids from allergies. 

Simple Pet Care Tips For An Injured Dog 
Unless you find that your kid is suffering from asthma or severe respiratory problems, throwing away your pet for simple allergies makes no sense. There are many effective solutions and ways to protect kids from allergies. One important point to be noted is that pet allergies are not caused due to the shedding of their hair, whereas, it is the dander or the dead cells that shed from the pet’s body. Keeping an eye on this and following the tips below on how to protect kids from allergies will definitely help keep your family and your pet healthy and happy. 

Air Purifiers 
Air Purifiers are found to be highly effective ways to protect kids from allergies. Choose an air purifier that can remove airborne pet dander. This will help you keep your kids’ allergen free. Depending on the size of your house, you might need an additional air purifier.

Regular Brushing 
Make sure you keep your pet very clean by bathing and brushing them as often as you can. Bathing your pet atleast weekly once is necessary. Regular grooming will help to minimize or even diminish the amount of dander your pet carries and your kids will be safe from pet allergies.

Keep Pets Outside Your Bedroom 
Make sure you keep your pets away from your nursing and bed rooms. This will keep your beds, carpets, curtains and clothing free from pet dander and help you have an allergen free sleeping environment.

Daily Damp Dusting & Vacuuming 
Another easy and effective way to prevent pet allergies is to vacuum clean and damp dust your home every-day. Pets have the tendency to shed dander on the carpets and furniture or wherever they wander. If this keeps accumulating, then your child may be prone to some kind of per allergy. Vacuum cleaning and damp dusting on a daily basis helps to remove the loose dander and also prevents it from accumulating. 

Regular Hand Washing 
One of the best ways to protect kids from allergies is regular washing of their hands. Every time you touch or play with your pet, wash your hands immediately when done, this will keep you away from any pet allergies. 

Apart from these tips, make sure your house has proper ventilation system.

Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergies

When the weather report issues an air quality warning, some people stay indoors, but there's no guarantee that the air in the home is any healthier than the air outside. Common indoor air pollutants such as dust mite grime, pet dander, mold, tobacco smoke, and airborne allergens and germs may be lurking about without anyone ever noticing.

Adults spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors and inhale approximately 2,300 gallons of air a day. Given that, people face significant, ongoing exposure to a variety of unwelcome indoor air pollutants. Extended exposure to these pollutants can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, respiratory problems, headache, fatigue and even allergy symptoms. Asthmatics, the elderly and children are the most vulnerable to indoor air pollutants and can develop more serious symptoms. Prolonged exposure to some pollutants has even been linked to cancer or other serious diseases.

Homeowners do, however, have the power to combat indoor air pollutants and improve their home's air quality.

One common first line of defense is a home air filtration system. These devices filter pollutants from the air circulating throughout the home. 

But an air purifier shouldn't have to do all the work. Homeowners need to do their part by maintaining a clean household. Simple things like asking people to take off their shoes at the front door or preventing family and guests from smoking indoors go a long way toward clearing indoor air, allowing homeowners to breathe a fresh sigh of relief.

Indoor environment

Many things that can potentially trigger asthma symptoms can be found in your home, including carpets, certain furnishings and cleaning products. You may also come across triggers in other people’s houses or in your workplace. But there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of any indoor allergens leading to an asthma attack.

What’s the best way to reduce the risk of triggers in the home affecting you?

Whatever’s triggering your asthma, the reality is that it’s impossible to get rid of all allergens in your home. And if you only get rid of some, it might not make any difference to your asthma. The evidence is clear that when it comes to coping with asthma triggers – including indoor ones - the best thing you can do is stay on top of your asthma. If you manage your asthma well, your body is in a better position to cope when you come into contact with any asthma triggers.

The best ways to manage your asthma are:

• Take your preventer medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed. It is specially designed to work in the background every day to help reduce your body’s reaction to triggers you meet in your daily life.
• Use your written asthma action plan [link] to help you identify when your asthma needs extra help and what to discuss with your doctor or asthma nurse.
• Get your asthma reviewed regularly, so you and your GP or asthma nurse can make sure the medicines you’re taking are doing the best possible job for you

Some common triggers in the home

House dust mites, animals, mould and cigarette smoke are all common asthma triggers in the home – you can read about them by clicking on the links. But there are other things found indoors that can also potentially trigger your asthma in different ways. Speak to your GP or asthma nurse about what you can realistically do to reduce your risk of an asthma attack. You can also call the Asthma UK Helpline on 0800 121 62 44 and talk to an asthma nurse specialist, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Central heating

Some people find that their asthma gets worse when the heating is turned on in the autumn and better when it goes off in the spring. This could be because once the heating is turned on, dust mites multiply very quickly and for some people these are an asthma trigger.

However, "Research actually suggests that asthma symptoms are harder to control for people who don’t have central heating at home", says Dr Samantha Walker, Director of Research and Policy at Asthma UK. “One reason for this is that central heating gives out a dry heat, and asthma is worse in homes that are damp.”

Central heating also helps keep a good background level of warmth. This works well for people with asthma who need to avoid sudden changes in temperature (such as going from a heated room into a cold hall) and makes it a better choice of heating than a gas or electric fire just warming one room.

Open fires

Open fires, or wood-burning stoves, can make asthma symptoms worse for some people. Burning wood gives off fine particles and breathing them in can make the airways inflamed. If you have a wood or coal fire make sure any flues are in good condition and working well, and the chimney is swept regularly, so that the smoke can escape.

Whatever kind of heating you’re using - be aware of any new asthma symptoms when you first start using it as the weather changes. You might want to book an asthma review with your GP or asthma nurse if you know there is going to be a weather change so you can be prepared. Ask your GP or asthma nurse about increasing your medicines for a time, or keeping your home well ventilated, by opening windows. Good ventilation can cut the risk of your asthma being triggered by smoke. It can also reduce the humidity that can result in dust mite levels increasing when the heating goes on.

Carpets

A chemical called formaldehyde is sometimes used in the manufacture of some carpets. This chemical is a type of volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it becomes a gas at room temperature. It can irritate the airways and in some people may trigger asthma symptoms. New carpets may release formaldehyde gas, although old ones don’t. You can reduce your exposure by:

• Asking the shop to unroll a new carpet and air it before you bring it home.
• Keeping the room well aired when it is put down. The amount of formaldehyde gas given off will reduce within two or three days.
• Considering finding carpets made without using formaldehyde as part of the manufacturing process – they do exist.
• Avoiding carpets with a natural latex foam underlay if you’re allergic to latex. Most modern carpets are made with synthetic latex, which shouldn’t cause any problems.

When you’re moving house it’s a good idea to check with previous owners if they had a pet. If pets trigger your asthma you might want to get the carpets in your new home professionally cleaned before moving in.

Furnishings


New furniture, bedding, flooring and shelving can trigger asthma symptoms in some people, research has shown. This is because these products can contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is classed as a volatile organic compound (VOC), which means it becomes a gas at room temperature. This gas can irritate the airways. Some people also tell us the smell of new sofas and soft furnishings triggers their asthma.

• Formaldehyde is most often found in furniture made from MDF or chipboard, so if you think this is a problem for you, you could investigate alternative materials such as wood. 
• You could buy second-hand furniture instead – after a few years, products stop giving off formaldehyde. 
• Synthetic bedding can also contain formaldehyde. Washing bedding before you use it can help remove chemicals. Or you could look for alternatives such as feather bedding, as research shows this is less likely to trigger asthma attacks.
• Try airing any new furniture before bringing it into the house, and keep windows open until the smell settles down.

Cleaning

A lot of the cleaning products we use every day contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some research shows VOCs can irritate the airways and trigger asthma. They are found in furniture polish, air fresheners, carpet cleaners, oven cleaners and in the chemicals used in dry cleaning. Sprays can be more likely to trigger asthma than solid or liquid cleaning products, because you end up inhaling the chemicals. Some people also tell us the smell of cleaning products and air fresheners can trigger their asthma. Professional cleaners and others who use a lot of cleaning products all the time are at more risk of developing asthma.

These steps may help:

• Avoid spray cleaners
. It’s better to use solid or liquid cleaning stuffs, rather than sprays, as sprays get into the air and can be inhaled more easily and get further down into the airways, causing irritation. If you can, use as little of the product as possible, and open windows when you’re cleaning for good ventilation. Even using spray cleaning products now and again can trigger asthma.
• Avoid scented products
. If you think the smell of cleaning products triggers asthma symptoms, go for unscented products. 
• Consider other cleaning methods. 
The best way to avoid exposure to the chemicals found in cleaning products is to avoid using them. Use a damp cloth for cleaning instead whenever possible and look for products which are labelled allergy friendly, as these have lower levels of VOCs and are usually fragrance-free. 

Decorating

The products used in decorating and DIY contain certain VOCs, which research shows can irritate the airways. And some people tell us the smells from paints and other decorating products can trigger their asthma. Try these steps:

• Look for paints low in VOCs
. There are now lots available at big DIY stores and paints are clearly labelled with their VOC levels. Low-odour, water-based gloss paints might also be slightly better for some people with asthma. 
• Always keep windows open when you’re decorating.

Building work and repairs

There’s a link between poor housing and asthma so it’s important to make sure problems like damp, mould and poor ventilation are sorted out as soon as possible. If you have work done in your home, make sure you’re not putting your asthma at greater risk.

• Be aware the the chemicals used when treating a house for woodworm or damp and dry rot may irritate the airways and trigger an asthma attack. Keeping windows open may help. Or, if you find your symptoms are getting worse, you could stay somewhere else while the work is being done. 
• Cavity wall insulation keeps a home warm and free from damp but before having it put in make sure you check the materials are going to be used. Some insulation materials give off gases which can trigger asthma. For example, foam insulation can release formaldehyde, which can irritate your lungs. 
• If you’ve got any building work planned in your home there’s likely to be more dust and fumes about. Ask your GP or asthma nurse if you should take more asthma medicines while the work is going on. If you can stay with friends or family while the work is being carried out that would help your asthma even more.

Other steps that may help

People with asthma have told us they’ve tried these tips for helping to reduce their risk of having an asthma attack due to triggers in the home:

Air filters and purifiers

Air filters and purifiers clean the air and can reduce the number of asthma triggers such as pet dander (flakes of skin), mould spores, dust and tobacco smoke particles. Some people tell us having an air filter or air purifier helps them with their asthma symptoms. However more research is needed to prove this. Most studies suggest that they do improve symptoms, but only if used alongside other methods. They can’t remove all allergens and even a few left behind can trigger asthma symptoms.

If you’re thinking of using an air filter or purifier you need to:

1. Check what type of allergens it captures
2. Check that the air purifier is ozone-free. Some purifiers give out low levels of ozone which can make asthma symptoms worse
3. Clean and replace all filters when necessary

Humidifiers and de-humidifiers

Some people with asthma tell us that humidifiers and dehumidifiers help with their asthma symptoms, but once again only if used alongside other methods. There isn’t much research evidence about how effective they are.

Good ventilation

Keeping your home well ventilated by opening windows or using extractor fans reduces humidity. Less humidity means fewer house dust mites and mould spores. Good ventilation also helps get rid of gases produced by heating and cooking.

Opening a window is better than using a fan, or extractor fan. Fans or extractor fans need to put in the right place so they don’t just blow allergens around the room.

Would personal air purifiers keep us all healthy?

Common-sense hygiene may be a better defense, experts suggest

So-called personal air purifiers promise to protect users from harmful viruses and bacteria, but experts say the devices may not work in real-world conditions, Laura Johannes writes in the Wall Street Journal.

Personal air purifiers—such as the AirSupply Minimate from Wein Products—are meant to be worn around the neck. They work by emitting electrically charged particles called ions. In theory, the ions transfer their electric charge to harmful particles, which are then repulsed from the user because like-charged particles repel each other.

Wein partially funded research at the University of Cincinnati to test its product. The results were published in the journal Indoor Air in 2005. Overall, the device was found to clear the air of half of the test particles in 15 minutes and almost all of the particles in an hour and a half. 

However, some experts are skeptical. Darryl Zeldin, scientific director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, says, "It sounds like it worked in a laboratory setting, but that doesn't say anything about whether it works in real life." 

For instance, some researchers argue the purifiers may struggle to actually clear air. "If you sit next to a person in an airplane, this person will sneeze and cough during the entire eight-hour flight," says Werner Bischoff, an infectious disease specialist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Moreover, many harmful germs are transferred via infected surfaces—which are unaffected by the purifier. Sergey Grinshpun, who the led the study, acknowledges that shortcoming, but adds "at least you reduce inhalation exposure."  

Why kids born in the U.S. have more allergies, asthma 

Anecdotally, representatives from Wein and other manufacturers say that customer feedback has been positive. However, according to the Wall Street Journal, some of the devices' infection-fighting prowess may be the result of the antibacterial effect created by air pollutants, such as ozone. Stanley Weinberg, CEO and chairman of Wein, says his company's product emits only a small amount of ozone. 

Ultimately, Bischoff says other common-sense methods might be a better way to guard yourself against infection than the purifiers. For instance, avoid touching your nose or mouth while on an airplane, he suggests (Johannes, Wall Street Journal, 3/16)

To clear the air, clean your air purifier filter An air purifier can't do its job if the filter is dirty

Consider an air purifier as a last resort after you’ve done everything else you can do to improve your home’s air quality, such as banning indoor smoking, banishing pets from bedrooms, and vacuuming often. But if you still think you need a portable air purifier, keep in mind that there’s more to owning one than plugging it in and switching it on. Routinely cleaning or replacing the filter should keep your model doing its job for years.

Most of the air purifiers in Consumer Reports' tests have a filter indicator that tells you whether a part of the purifier needs to be cleaned or replaced. The challenge is that many of today’s air purifiers use a few different technologies. In addition to a pre-filter, which is usually cleaned rather than replaced, you’ll occasionally need to replace the HEPA filter and perhaps a carbon filter. We include these expenses in the annual costs we list in our ratings. Check your manual for other maintenance requirements, especially for more advanced models.

One more point about filter indicators: While some newer air purifiers might tell you it's time to clean or replace a filter based on how much you’ve actually used the unit, some others base their recommendation on time alone. So if you run your purifier less often, you might prefer to visually inspect at least the HEPA filter before tossing it to keep from replacing filters unnecessarily. That’s also what you need to do if you replace the filter on your forced-air heating/cooling system with a denser one designed to filter out dust and smoke in circulating air, such as the $20 Filtrete Healthy Living Ultimate Allergen Reduction 1900 MPR. Such replacement filters have no way of indicating that they’re getting clogged.

If you’re shopping for an air purifier, check out our Ratings of 40 portable room and whole-house (labeled home) air purifiers. Among top-scoring portables are the $250 Honeywell HPA300 and $300 Whirlpool Whispure AP51030K. Our air purifier buying guide will give you a rundown on the latest advances in this category.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

How to Choose an Air Purifier for Allergies

But I am happy to report that most of the time the air purifier can’t be heard.The only time I have noticed a sound is periodically when the fan speed kicks up automatically, but it is not loud enough to disturb. Kids need them too. Some are ideal for nurseries.

Who should consider the Allergy Machine? The happiest air on Earth! For outside allergens prescription medication may be needed. Drive an economical and or hybrid vehicle. For allergic and asthmatic people, who are grateful for every single moment of normal breathing, the condition of the air is critical. There are over the counter drugs and prescription drugs that help with the symptoms associated with these types of allergens. Some of these are found in perfumes, soap, shampoos, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, among others. Some will kill mold and other “living” allergens. Throw away all used cartridges, cassettes or filters. A HEPA purifier such as the IQAir HealthPro 250, however, will help you rid the air in your home of pollen allergens of any size.

For asthma sufferers it really is the second best valued device you can get to prevent symptoms and attacks.

Animal allergens (also known as pet dander). Outside flares might include gardening, grass, insects, pollen, ragweed, and stinging insects. There are dozens of different air purifiers on the market claiming to be best for allergy and asthma control. These products include laundry detergents and usually contain no dyes, or fragrances. You can also wash such beddings regularly in very hot water (130 ºF up) once a week, and dry them in a hot dryer. What everyone agrees about is that oxygen as a by-product is the safest way to go.In fact, HEPA technology is the type used by hospitals to insure clean air.

She told me that she has been using her air purifier 7 days a week whenever she is home and it has so far still not showing any sign of exhaustion. A healthy humidity level is between 35 and 45 percent. For that you will want to add UV and Tio2. Asthma is the disease caused by airway obstruction.

Benefits of Air Purifiers The tight seals of our energy efficient homes trap indoor particulates, creating indoor air pollution. A sensation of struggling for breath can be very frightening.As a child’s fear grows, it can be harder to get the youngster to calm down and relax, exacerbating an already testing situation. There is no way to control outside air quality. For the best, consistent allergy, respiratory or asthma relief in your home or room, an air cleaner must be able to quickly and consistently stop over 99% of the dust, dust mites, pet dander, odors, and chemical residues before they can get to your nose. Many purifiers will utilize more than one filter. Besides, the antimicrobial treated filter traps particles and minerals. How is it different from a regular HEPA filter?

Additionally, the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has a downloadable event planning kit full of great ideas, educational material and resources.

Use an air conditioner.

The next step is to use a quality portable air cleaner, with a medical grade HEPA filter and a substantial carbon filter.

Best Asthma Air Purifiers for Asthma Relief. For babies or infants, dealing with asthma and allergies can be particularly troublesome.

Purifies rooms up to 500 sq. ft. If the humidifier has a filter, change it at least as often as the manufacturer recommends – and more often if it’s dirty.

Mark: It depends on what kind of allergies you have. If the device is unduly loud, this model may not be a good choice. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about”. I can see how much she pride herself for having this particular air purifier model.

Generally speaking, the finer the filter, the more expensive it is to replace, the more power will be required to pull the air through it, and the higher the electricity bill.

Mark: HEPA, to gather dust, and a Pre-filter to capture hair and dust before the HEPA filter to help it last longer.

After a prolonged period of time, filter efficiency drops dramatically.

Tips for allergy sufferers

SAN ANTONIO - Spring can be a rough time for allergy sufferers.

Taking medication helps, but a game-plan of avoidance measures can also be put together to alleviate symptoms on even the highest pollen-count days.

"The avoidance measure of relevance, with respect to the pollen season, is air conditioning," said the Cleveland Clinic's Dr. David Lang. "With the air conditioning on and the windows closed, you cut down on the pollen count indoors by 90 percent or more."

Lang said the air conditioning rule applies to your home, car, and office.

Neti pots or saline sprays may also provide some temporary relief. Rinsing the nasal cavity could flush out pollen and other allergens.

Another thing you can try is to change your clothes each time you come inside. He said microscopic pollen particles can latch onto fabrics and your skin, so changing and taking a shower can help.

Lang says if nothing else, keep your windows closed -- especially in the morning.

"There are certain plants that release pollen early in the morning," he said. "If you've got the screen open, the window open, and air is coming in through the screen, you're starting your day with a pretty high dose, in terms of exposures to pollens, that's going to drive your symptoms."

Lang said you can also try a portable air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air -- or HEPA -- filter that may trap some of the particles that make it inside your home.

By Adam Caskey