Dander Don’Ts A Few Simple Steps Can Keep The Sneezing Under Control

You love him even though his mere presence brings you to tears. Unwilling to part, yet unable to quit sneezing, you experience life through an antihistamine-induced fog.

An estimated 10 percent of the population is allergic to animals. For those who own pets, unconditional love can mean a constant runny nose. But experts say we need not always suffer for love.

It isn’t just fur that triggers allergies. Dander (flakes of dry skin), saliva, urine and blood are all potential allergens.

Cats are some of the worst offenders because their constant preening leaves traces of saliva on their fur. Even some birds, like cockatoos and cockatiels, have powdery dander that sends some allergic folks over the edge, says Veronika Kiklevich, veterinarian and teacher at Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Sometimes it’s not the fur or the dander that bothers people. Pets are the dust mops of the animal kingdom. They carry molds, pollens and dust from the outdoors into the house.

“More often than not, it’s not just the animal,” Kiklevich says, adding, “It may be if you can decrease the other allergen load in the other parts of your life, you can keep the dog.”

How can a person decipher if it’s the dog or the dust that’s the culprit? “If you decide you have a problem, and you’re trying to figure out what it is, you don’t always have to have a skin test,” says Dr. Richard Gower, an allergist at Rockwood Clinic.

Gower recommends a simple test to clear your sinuses and get to the root of the problem. Go on a family vacation and stay in a hotel room that isn’t used to accommodate pets.

If symptoms flair after you’ve reunited with your pet, it’s time to make a decision.

“The best thing to do is stay away from whatever you’re allergic to. People love their pets so they usually don’t do that,” says Gower.

Getting rid of an animal is a devastating but necessary choice for some, says Gower. Pets can overload the systems of asthmatic children and adults, resulting in hospitalizations and, in some cases, death.

Allergic children are especially vulnerable. When their parents refuse to part with pets, the allergies can turn into asthma.

That often leads to behavior problems and poor performance in school.

“It’s a matter of a lot of education. Most of them will come around,” says Gower.

Catherine Ulibarri, an animal behaviorist at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of an estimated 44 percent (survey by Pfizer Inc.) of allergic people who choose to keep pets in spite of obvious animal allergies.

An animal lover since childhood, Ulibarri opted for a career as an animal behaviorist.

“I refuse to let something like an allergy dictate what I do with my life and what I enjoy,” she says.

In addition to working with chickens and rats, she and her husband live on a farm with sheep, milking goats, a cow, chickens, a mastiff and an Australian shepherd mix, and a hairless cat.

“I try to manage my allergies as much as possible with common-sense things,” says Ulibarri. She takes simple precautions, such as wearing a dust mask and taking Claritin, when cleaning her chicken house.

Allergic pet owners who opt to keep animals should minimize direct contact, says Gower. Mitten might prefer your warm bed, but unless you want to continue along the red-eye trail, get her off the bed and out of the bedroom entirely.

“It makes sense that you’re going to have more contamination if you have that animal right next to you on the pillow,” says Gower.

Cover vents with a dense material like cheesecloth. Gower suggests people replace carpeting with linoleum or hardwood.

Get rid of curtains, stuffed animals and upholstered fabrics that have accumulated particles of dander and dust. Install an air cleaner.

Ulibarri has hardwood floors throughout her house that she vacuums and damp mops frequently. Her dogs get weekly baths.

When she brushes animals, Ulibarri stays upwind and avoids touching her face after handling them. Afterward, she washes her hands.

Experts suggest asking a nonallergic family member to shampoo or brush pets weekly. Kiklevich recommends a shampoo called Allerpet, which is formulated to remove dander and secretions. Allerpet has formulas for cats, dogs, birds and small animals.

“It’s saved a lot of my patients,” says Kiklevich. “I’ll tell you it’s certainly worth a try.

“It doesn’t seem to have any adverse effects on the animals.”

Use veterinary-approved shampoos. The wrong shampoo can further dry out skin and lead to harmful infections and even more dander.

“If you try to use a human shampoo, you’ll be changing the PH of the animal’s skin and causing all kinds of problems,” she says. Fatty oil supplements can also be effective in lessening the dry skin/dander problem.

If symptoms persist, visit an allergist.

Over-the-counter medications cause side effects that can impair motor skills and create dangerous driving conditions. Instead, ask your doctor to prescribe a cutting-edge, nondrowsy allergy pill or nasal spray, Gower suggests.

If you’re still miserable, try allergy shots. Ninety percent of those who receive shots find relief, says Gower.

Although there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet, some breeds are less offensive than others.

“Any dog that has short, tight hair tends to collect less on their coats,” says Kiklevich.

Ulibarri’s conscientious lifestyle has enabled her to live a relatively symptom-free coexistence with her animals.

“Sometimes I almost fake my body into ignoring it,” she says. “It’s the power of positive thinking.”

Best pets for allergic people:

Birds: Budgies and pocket parrots like the gray cheek.

Dogs: Poodles, terriers (especially Bedlington and Kerry blue) and schnauzers.

Cats: Sphinx and the Devon Rex.