Country music star and “American Idol” alum Kellie Pickler announced a few days ago that she gave away her cat, Pickles, because of her husband's cat allergies. Guess she had not heard the good news from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) that removing the pet from the home is not the only option.
Environmental changes to help control allergy symptoms in conjunction with allergy immunotherapy helps many committed pet owners keep companion animals the home.
Bringing a pet into the home is supposed to be a lifetime commitment, not a commitment until—until you have a child, until you marry someone who is allergic, for instance.
Careful not to smudge one of American's sweethearts, Pickler’s handlers are saying she was “forced” to find another home for Pickles, making the "sacrifice" because of her husband’s allergies. Reportedly, she is sad and teary. No news on how Pickles is taking the news.
Pet allergies are common, affecting many people and forcing many pets into homelessness. Most people are not as kind as Pickler and do not have her resources. She reportedly found Pickles a new home. Some people move away and leave the pet or dump the pet at a shelter, where euthanasia is the common outcome.
The truth is that although individuals who are allergic to dogs and cats are advised to reduce their exposure to the animal, case studies show that cat dander is present even in places where a cat has never set a paw, according to Dr. Dana Wallace, ACAAI president.
Allergists refer to this as “passive” exposure because pet dander travels on clothing. “The allergen is everywhere,” Wallace added.
Committed pet owners who want to keep the companion animal in the home have options. Wallace suggests incorporating specific environmental interventions and employing immunotherapy, allergy shots, for committed individuals who want to live comfortably with their pet.
Change your space
Follow steps below, not just a couple of the ideas, to greatly reduce the animal dander in the home:
- Remove the animal from the bedroom to create an “allergy free zone”
- Use bleach to reduce the allergen on clothing or bedding
- Cover mattress and pillows with tightly woven microfiber fabric to capture small cat and dog allergens
- Use HEPA room air cleaners and a HEPA vacuum
- Use whole-house filtration on central heating/ventilation, air conditioning systems (HVAC); a MERV 12 filter is recommended
- Limit carpeted surfaces; hard-surface flooring, like wood or tile, is recommended
- Substitute leather furniture for upholstery
- Bathe animals regularly
Treatments
Mild symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines or nasal sprays, but immunotherapy is the most effective treatment because it targets the underlying cause rather than masking allergy symptoms.
Immunotherapy works like a vaccine, exposing the individual to tiny (but increasing) amounts of the allergen to increase tolerance. Studies show that immunotherapy may keep people from developing new allergies and help reduce the risk of developing asthma. And it is the only treatment that can potentially resolve symptoms for good.
Of course, if the symptoms are so severe that they cause hospitalization or asthma attacks, the health of the person will take priority. Keeping a dog or cat in the household may not be the best choice in those cases, but please do not make it your first choice. If you must find a new home, consider rescues that try to foster animals while finding new homes.
Learn more about allergies and asthma, take a relief self-test here.
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