Airgle Air Purifiers - Air Cleaners

Air Purifier Addresses Pet and Pollen Allergies

Allergies to pets and pollen are among the most common types of allergy.  Up to 15% of the population, or some 45 million Americans, are allergic to animals.

An allergy occurs when the body has an immune response to a commonly encountered, and often harmless, substance.  When there is contact with this substance, for example by touch, inhalation or ingestion, a cascade of reactions starts in inflammatory cells, causing symptoms including sneezing, wheezing and running of the eyes and nose.  Allergy symptoms may range from mild to severe and can sometimes even be fatal. 

Pet allergies

Allergies to cats and dogs can take over 2 years to develop and can occur at any time, even in those who have had pets previously with no symptoms.  Pet allergy can be hereditary, but some exposure is necessary for the allergy to develop and symptoms to be seen.  Symptoms of pet allergy include sneezing, itchy watering eyes, skin rashes, wheezing and breathing difficulties.  These can be seen for months after exposure to the animal ends.

Pet allergies are mainly caused by skin flakes and by secretions from oil glands in the skin.  These are shed naturally and will be found in all areas to which the pet has access.  Skin flakes can be transported on clothes to areas where animals have never been, and if they are in soft furnishings can persist for up to six months. 

Pet saliva and urine can also cause reactions, although hair is not usually a significant allergen, and there is no relationship between the length of an animal's hair and the reaction produced in an allergic person. 

Bird feathers and mites can cause reactions, and droppings of birds and animals such as hamsters can cause allergies as they are a source of dust, mold and fungi.  Even fish can cause allergies, by reactions to fish food ingredients or to mold growing in the tank.  Since all animals will produce skin flakes, saliva, urine and droppings there is no 'non-allergenic' animal.

• Controlling the areas to which the pet has access - ideally, the pet should be kept outside, or else in as few rooms as possible and definitely not in the allergic person’s bedroom
•  Using a good quality air purifier for at least 4 hours per day to remove allergens from the air – this is especially important in homes with air conditioning or forced-air heating as these will circulate allergens in the air around the home, including to rooms to which the pet has no access.  AIRGLE Air Purifiers are widely considered the best
• Making sure the pet is not allowed on furniture, as skin flakes can persist in soft furnishings for up to six months
• Removing carpeting as much as possible, as skin flakes and other allergens can be removed much more easily from hard floors and will not persist there
•  Cleaning the home regularly and thoroughly
• Using an anti-allergen spray around the home to reduce the allergens present
• Using an efficient anti-allergen vacuum cleaner, to remove allergens, and ensure that they are not pumped back out into the air by the vacuum's exhaust system.
• Minimizing direct contact with the pet - not hugging or kissing the pet and stroking as little as possible, then afterwards washing the face, hands and arms well
• Wearing a protective mask and gloves to groom the pet, afterwards wash the face, hands and arms well
•  Removing clothing after being in contact with the pet, keeping this out of the bedroom and washing with a special allergen wash to remove as many allergens as possible
•   Washing the pet’s bedding regularly in hot water to remove accumulated skin flakes
•  Keeping caged animals such as hamsters away from the allergic person and regularly cleaning cages
•  Avoiding long visits to homes where there are pets and limiting exposure there
• Not allowing the pet in the car, or using washable seat covers
•  Placing cat litter boxes in a well-ventilated area, away from the allergic person, who should not handle them
•  Using anti-allergen shampoos and sprays on the pet, as bathing weekly will wash away skin flakes, which would otherwise be shed around the home
• Not using feather bedding if birds cause allergy symptoms, or using protective covers to avoid leakage of feathers and dust

Once steps have been taken to reduce exposure as much as possible, allergy symptoms can be managed with medications.  Inhaled corticosteroids can provide relief, especially in asthmatics.  Prevention is better than treatment, so following the above steps to reduce exposure is extremely important.

Pollen allergies

Pollen allergy, more commonly known as hay fever, is one of the best-known allergies.  Pollen is microscopic reproductive cells produced by all flowering plants, including grasses and trees.  It is dispersed into the air so that it can fertilize other plants of the same species and is generally produced from February to October.   There will be more in the air during windy and humid weather and in the early morning.  In the US, the plants which produce the most allergenic pollen are weeds.  These include ragweed (which is the most allergenic and produces vast quantities of pollen), sagebrush, redroot pigweed, lamb's quarters, Russian thistle (tumbleweed), and English plantain. Grasses can also be allergenic, such as timothy grass and Kentucky bluegrass, and allergenic trees include oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar.

The most common symptom of pollen allergy is sneezing, but other symptoms include watering, itchy eyes, conjunctivitis, dark circles under the eyes due to restricted blood flow near the sinuses, nasal congestion and persistent rubbing of the nose in children.  Some people will develop asthma, which will recur each year in the pollen season and may become serious and chronic.  Asthma is a very serious condition, which can sometimes even be fatal.  Anyone that develops asthma should be under a doctor’s care.

•  Limiting time outside, especially strenuous activity, when the pollen level is likely to be high, such as humid or windy weather and early morning during the pollen season.  Pollen counts, which are a measure of pollen in the air, are often given on weather forecasts
•  Keeping windows closed during the pollen season
• Using a face mask when outside at times of high pollen counts
•  Traveling to areas of lower pollen exposure during the pollen season, for example to the seaside
•  Using a good quality air purifier for at least 4 hours per day, to remove allergens from the air
•  Washing hair before bed so pollen is not transferred from the hair to bedding
• Using a clothes dryer instead of hanging clothes outside where they would be exposed to pollen
• Avoiding other respiratory irritants, such as smoke and wet paint, as these may exacerbate symptoms

Pollen allergies can be treated medically with antihistamines, nasal decongestants and corticosteroids.  Nasal irrigation and steam inhalation can be helpful at-home treatments to reduce severity of symptoms.  If these are inadequate, desensitization therapy (allergy shots) may provide relief.  The patient is exposed to low doses of the allergen so that tolerance builds up.  However, this is expensive, takes months before effects are seen, can cause reactions at the injection sites and may not work in all people.  Prevention and decreased exposure to pollen is therefore extremely important.

Remember, the most important thing you can do, and the most effective way to eliminate the effects of pet and pollen allergies is a high quality air purifier. AIRGLE Air Purifiers are widely considered the best, and most effective, air purifiers on the market today.