If you are allergic to dogs or cats, yet you want to try living with a pet for the sake of your children, it's necessary to find out exactly what you are allergic to. Some people are allergic to animal dander, while others struggle with the saliva. You may discover that you are allergic to one dog, but another one doesn't cause you any symptoms. When your pet allergy symptoms are not severe, allergy testing may be able to identify a pet that you can live with safely. Once you figure out exactly what you are allergic to, it will become easier to decide on what type of pet you can get for your family.
Understanding Allergy Testing
You can get allergy testing done to find out if you are allergic to certain foods, animals, and elements in nature. It is done through a small prick on your skin. If the skin gets inflamed, this indicates an allergy. If you have a specific substance you want to test, this can be done safely with your allergist. For example, if you want to test the saliva of a particular dog that you don't believe is giving you symptoms, this can be tested with your allergist.
Symptom Management For Allergies
The best way to treat allergies is to avoid your triggers. This means that if you are highly allergic to a particular dog or cat, you shouldn't live with it. If your symptoms are mild, you may be able to live with the pet safely. You can prevent animal dander from getting into your bedroom by shutting your bedroom door during the day and not allowing your pet to sleep in your room at night. When you are sleeping, you can't assess whether your symptoms are getting worse or not.
Air Purifiers and Pet Dander
If you have mild pet allergies, you can also try air purifiers in the home to help control the pet dander. You'll want to know if you are allergic to the dander or the saliva, as you can also work to prevent the dog or cat from licking you if necessary. Air purifiers can help reduce the pet dander in your home and help keep your symptoms under control.
When you have allergies to certain pets, it's worth getting tested to see what is causing your symptoms. You may be able to live with a specific dog or cat, even when some pets have given you allergies in the past. For more help, contact a company like Oak Brook Allergists today.