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Knowing how to avoid pet dander is important if animal dander is one of your asthma triggers. Pet dander is an airborne trigger that is often found in indoor environments year round. It is commonly believed that an animal's hair is what causes pet allergies, but this is not true. In fact, it is the proteins found in dander, urine, and saliva from pets that is at work. Dander is the dead skin flakes that are shed from an animal.
In cats and dogs, dander and saliva are primarily allergic triggers, while urine can be the allergen in other animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Cats are one of the most potent asthma triggers, but a sensitive person can have a reaction to almost any furry or feathered animal. Whether the animal is long- or short-haired does not matter.
According to the Expert Panel Guidelines for managing asthma, the first and foremost step in controlling allergic asthma is to reduce exposure to the allergens to which you are sensitive. So, if animal dander is one of your asthma or allergy triggers, then you should focus on avoiding pet dander as much as you possibly can.
Having said that, though, it's also important to state that total avoidance of all environmental allergens is not practical or realistic. Many families are not willing to give up their family pets because one of its human members is allergic. And even if you don't live with an animal, chances are good that you will be exposed to some pet dander now and then, which may trigger your asthma symptoms.
Still, you can take some steps take that will decrease your exposure, and you should take them if you want to stay as healthy as possible.
Of course, the best course of action if you are allergic to pet dander is not to have pets, but since that is not an acceptable option for many people, then at least work on the following actions:
As mentioned above, total avoidance of pet dander may not be possible. So, you should also be sure to take all of your asthma controller medicine as prescribed. And keep your quick-relief inhaler close by too, just in case.
Living a life without limits may mean making some compromises in some areas, so that you can keep breathing well and staying active. But, any steps you can take will be well worth it in the long run.
