When many of us think of allergies, we, humans, are often the first thing that comes to mind. There are millions of Americans, alone, who suffer from allergies. These allergies may be due to food, mold, mildew, as well as the weather. Although humans are the most common sufferers of allergies, did you know that pets can also develop allergies? They can. In fact, dogs are the most common animals that suffer from allergies.
When it comes to determining if your dog or pet has allergies, many individuals do not know how to proceed. For starters, it is important to look for the symptoms. In fact, did you know that some pet allergy symptoms are similar to the ones that humans show? They are. One of the most commons signs that your pet may have an allergy is if they are constantly itching themselves. Another sign is that of skin irritation. With that being said, constant itching and skin irritation often go hand in hand.
Although it is relatively easy for some pet owners to determine if their pets are suffering from allergies, some are still unsure. If that describes you, you will want to seek medical attention for your dog, cat, or any other pet that may have allergies. A vet can do a number of tests, as well as examine your dog's skin to determine if they are suffering from allergies. Before you take your dog to the vet, you are encouraged to write down any questions that you may have or anything that may have caused you concerned. For example, did your dog start itching after getting into some weeds your backyard? Did you just change their pet food or give them a new pet toy or a new pet bed? If so, your vet should know.
Another one of the many reasons why it is a good idea to take your dog or cat to the vet is because you will likely end up doing so anyways. Many humans are able to stop itching, even when the urge to do so seems uncontrollable. Pets on the other hand, aren't always able to do so. If you notice that your dog is itching a specific area of their body for more than two or three days, a visit to the vet may be in order. The same should be said, if you notice a skin rash or any broken skin. If left untreated, your pet may develop an infection, which is actually much worse that just having allergies.
As for how your dog or cat can be treated if they do have allergies, it is best that you follow the advice of your vet. This is because some of the medications prescribed may be for animals only, but some may also be human medications. The only thing is that not all medications are ideal for dogs; therefore, it is important to follow the advice of your vet. As for treatment, many prescribe antibiotic and antifungal cream for rashes or infections that may have already developed on the skin. Other preventative steps will likely be taken. For example, if your dog is allergic to a specific weed in your backyard, you may need to remove it or keep your dog away from the area. Although the treatment offered is likely to vary, most options will immediately provide relief to pets that are suffering.
1. Do I really need an air purifier in my home?
It depends on several factors, including your own level of comfort and your home's indoor air quality. There are several factors to take into consideration.
First of all, realize that indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality. In fact, for many people, indoor allergens and irritants, such as dust, smoke and pet dander, may be two to five times as bad in their homes as outdoors.
Second, several indicators will help you decide, if you will benefit from an air purifier in your home. Top reasons to get an air purifier include:
* Allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and runny nose
* Mold or mildew in your home
* Itchy, dry skin or frequent skin rashes
* Being or living with a smoker
* Asthma or other breathing problems
* Owning indoor pets
2. Do all Air Cleaners Remove the Same Kinds of Contaminants from the Air?
No. Even though every type of air purifier cleans certain particulates from the air, there are differences in what and how they clean. Some purifiers remove dust and particulates, such as pet dander and smoke very effectively, while others will actually eliminate bacteria, viruses and molds and mildew. But very few will do all of these things. In my opinion, the IQ Air HealthPro Series of air purifiers come closest to meeting all these requests from an air purifier.
3. What Size Air Purifier do I Need for My Home?
Most air purifiers are designed for individual room use rather than for the whole home. Unless you have an air purifier or air filtration system that has been installed on your heating or air conditioning unit, you should get separate units for each room or living space.
You need separate units for each room is because effectiveness is affected by air flow, and walls mean no air circulation. Each room will need its own unit.
To determine what size you need, look for the CADR number. This number indicates the Clean Air Delivery Rate, which should always equal at least 2/3 the total square footage of the room you will be using the air purifier in. For example, a 10' X 12' room has 120' square feet, and needs a purifier with a CADR number of at least 80.
4. What Ozone level is Safe for Indoors?
Ozone is a tasteless, colorless gas, found in the upper atmosphere and is naturally produced by thunderstorms during electric discharge.
It is perfectly safe indoors, if kept at acceptable levels (between .02 and .05 parts per million). This is just like many other type of naturally occurring gasses that aren't harmful to us at certain levels. Ozone air purifiers have been developed to produce the correct amount of ozone to purify the air without reaching harmful levels.
5. How frequently do I need to Change or Clean the Filter in my Air Purifier?
Depending on the area of the room and what type and size of air purifier you have, that will tell you how often cleaning and replacement is needed. Some will need to be changed or cleaned monthly, others more often.
It is very important to check your filter regularly and follow the recommended schedule the manufacturer suggests, since the efficiency of the air purifier relies on proper maintenance.
6. What is a Micron?
A micron is a measurement of the size of a particulate in the air. One micron is 1/25,400 inch (roughly 100 times smaller than a single strand of hair). Obviously, a micron is far too small to be seen. For the purpose of choosing an air purifier, most types are considered very efficient if they can filter airborne pollutants to .3 microns.
7. How Much should I Expect to Pay for an Air Purifier?
This is difficult to determine. Price doesn't always guarantee quality. I'm sure you'll be willing to spend enough to get a high-quality product, however, protect your investment, by making sure your air purifier comes with a warranty. When buying an air purifier, also take into account the cost of any replacement filters and the electricity to run the unit.
8. How Much Noise Will the Air Purifier Make?
An air purifier with a fan in it will have some noise. HEPA filters, for instance, have fans to pull the air through the filter itself, although improved casings and quieter fans have been developed for noise abatement.
Ionic and ozone air purifiers don't usually have a fan, because they use an electrostatic charge or ozone, so they are completely silent. If they combine their technology with a filtration system or a fan to boost air circulation over the plates, there will be some noise, but this will be minimal, and these fans may be shut off when you wish. In general, the noise level of even an air purifier with a fan is low enough that it isn't intrusive. You'll be surprised in the fact that you will get used to the "noise", just as I did.
9. Where do I Place the Air Purifier?
The rooms you use the most, or any area where pollutants linger, are the most important rooms for air purifier use. Your living area, such as a family room or den, should have an air cleaner, especially if you have allergies or pets that are in the room daily, or if you have smokers in your family.
Bedrooms are also a good idea, since allergies and irritants can disturb your sleep. Clean, fresh air has been proven to produce more restful sleep and reduce night breathing problems.
Also, consider getting an air purifier in the bathroom, where odors, mold and mildew are prone to linger. An air cleaner in the bathroom can make it fresher and more pleasant, and also reduce the amount of mold and mildew in the air, so that your bathroom will be less of a breeding ground for germs.
10. Where Do I Position the Air Purifier?
It is most important to position it near the most traffic flow or activity in order to get plenty of air circulation around the air filter. This will increase the air exchange rate and make the air cleaning more efficient.
With a HEPA filter, it is best to position it near an open area, to ensure air movement all around. For an ozone air purifier, try to position the air purifier higher, rather than lower, since ozone molecules are heavier than oxygen and will tend to drift downward. The same planning goes for ionic air purifiers, which release charged particles into the air.
If your air purifier unit is easily portable and you have a heavy smoker in the room, move the air purifier a bit closer to him, if possible and acceptable. Occasionally, you may also want to move the air purifier to a specific room, when a particular odor needs to be banished as soon as possible.
Do you suffer from allergies? If you do, are you looking for affordable ways to seek allergy relief? If you are, you will want to continue reading on. Below, a few easy and affordable steps that you can take to reduce your allergy symptoms are outlined.
If you have good health insurance, you will want to visit your doctor. He or she cannot only provide you with prescription medication, but he or she may also be able to provide you with additional tips. These tips may include other natural and easy ways that you can go about seeking relief. Management tips, including how you can learn to live with allergies, may also be discussed by your doctor. Those with adequate health insurance, often find this approach easy and affordable.
If you do not have health insurance and if you cannot afford a visit to the doctor, you will want to examine over-the-counter products that are designed to provide relief to those suffering from allergies. Over-the-counter products are often much cheaper than getting a prescription without insurance. For the best level of success and relief, you will want to research online or ask those that you know for information on which over-the-counter products work the best. Seeking recommendations or reading ratings and reviews online is a great way to save money. Of course, be sure to read all warning labels before trying an over-the-counter allergy relief product.
Another natural and easy way to seek allergy relief is by removing yourself from the source of your problems or at least limiting your exposure. For example, if you are allergic to pets and if you are a pet owner, consider seeing if a friend or family member can take your pet for you. If you do not want to take this approach or if you cannot find a good home for your pet, limit the contact that you have with them, especially indoors. Keep all pets off furniture as much as possible and keep them out of your bedroom.
Clean your home as much as possible. There are some individuals who are allergic to mold and large amount of dust. If are one of those individuals, you may find it difficult to clean your home. One tip involves cleaning your home as much as possible. This is a great way to limit the dust that accumulates in your home. Although not necessarily affordable, you may also want to consider using a professional housecleaner. In keeping with professional help, if you suffer from mold and mildew allergies, consider calling on a professional mold remover. Although not cheap, it is the best way to seek relief and your home may also increase in value. If this expense is too much, consider limiting the amount of time you spend in your basement or other areas where mold is present.
Green tea is another easy and natural way to seek relief from allergies. Some teas have natural antihistamines in them. These are a great way and affordable way to seek relief. Even teas without natural antihistamines in them can help, as tea is known for it calming affect. The comfort and calmness provided may be welcomed with open arms by those suffering from severe allergy symptoms.
As you likely already know, allergies come in a number of different formats and those suffering from allergies often have different symptoms. If you suffer from hives, oatmeal should be used. Oatmeal should be prepared with one cup of boiling water. Wait a few minutes, around thirty minutes, and then strain. The remaining liquid can be applied to the skin and hives. A small paper towel or cotton ball will work.
As you can see, there are a number of affordable ways that you can go about seeking relief from many common allergy symptoms. If you suffer from allergies, you are encouraged to give the above mentioned approaches a try. You have nothing to lose by doing so, as most of the above mentioned steps are easy and affordable to take.
Do you suspect that you have a pet allergy? If you do, you may be looking for ways to seek relief or you may be looking for tips on how you can manage having a pet allergy. If you are, you will want to continue reading on, as a few helpful tips are outlined below.
Although there are a number of steps that you can take to treat or manage allergies that are due to pets, it is first important to make sure that you do have a pet allergy. Visit a healthcare provider or do your own experiments at home or when you are around animals. Do your symptoms get better when you are not near a pet? If so, you may have a pet allergy. Determining whether or not you do have pet allergies can help you save a lot of time and stress, should you actually not have an allergy.
If you do have a pet allergy or if you truly suspect that you do, it is advised that you schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. A doctor may recommend over-the-counter allergy relief medications for you. They may also prescribe a medication, depending on your symptoms. Although over-the-counter medicines and prescription medicines are all great ways to seek relief from allergies, it is also important to know that there are a number of natural steps that you can and should take.
One of the best ways to deal with a pet allergy is to remove the pet or pets from your home. If you aren't a pet owner, but if you have allergy symptoms when visiting friends or family, reconsider your choice to do so. Of course, you can limit the amount of time you are there or reduce your visits, but you may want to consider doing something else instead. Shopping, eating lunch, or having a cup of coffee are all great alternatives.
If you are a pet owner who cannot bear to part with your pets, like if you consider them to be a member of your family, keep your pet or pets out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the place where many individuals spend most of their time. The last thing that you want to be doing is suffering from allergies when trying to get a good nights sleep. If you are a visitor, as opposed to the pet owner, ask to move outside, if the weather is nice. You can also ask to move to a room where the pets aren't allowed.
Vacuuming as much as possible is another great way to relieve the symptoms of pet allergies. If you own a cat or a dog, invest in a good, quality vacuum cleaner, namely one that uses HEPA technology. There are also vacuum cleaners that are designed for pet owners. They may be a good idea if you are suffering from pet allergies. Many come with attachments that allow you to easily get pet air off of bedding and furniture.
As previously stated, it is important to remember that you can suffer from pet allergies even if you aren't a pet owner. If you know of someone who is a pet owner, like a close friend or family member, be sure to talk to them about your pet allergy. Of course, they will not get rid of their pets just for you, but they may take proactive steps to make their home a safer place for you. These steps may involve keeping their pets in another room or vacuuming before you come over.
As previously stated, if you do suffer from pet allergies or if you suspect that you may, it is a wise idea to schedule a visit with your doctor. He or she can prescribe medication to you or offer other helpful tips. With that being said, if you are uninsured, please try some of the easy and affordable steps highlighted above.
Are you a pet owner who thinks that you may be allergic to your dog? If you are, you may be looking for guidance. After all, there is nothing worse than realizing that you are allergic to your beloved pet or pets.
One of the first things that you will want to do is make sure that you do have a pet allergy. Sometimes, the symptoms of having a pet allergy can be caused by other allergies or by another medical illness, such as the flu or the common cold. Those who suffer from pet allergies may experience a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, develop a skin rash, or have difficultly breathing. If you experience severe allergy symptoms or if you would like conformation that you do have a pet allergy, schedule a visit with a healthcare professional.
As for how you can go about treating your pet allergies that are due to your dog, you can remove the dog from your home. If you are unable to do so or if you choose not to, you will want to see if you can find it a good home. Friends or family members who are willing to take your pet are often considered the best option. Even if you want to keep your dog with you, there are still a number of steps that you can take to seek relief from some common dog allergy symptoms.
The best way to limit your allergy symptoms that can be attributed to your dog is to keep your dog or dogs out of your bedroom. The bedroom is the room where we spend most of our time. For that reason, your dog or dogs should be kept out of your bedroom. Doing so, may limit the number of irritating symptoms you display. It may also help to get you a good night of sleep. In addition to the bedroom, it is also important to examine other rooms that you may spend a good portion of your time. Consider keeping your dog or dogs out of that room as well.
Another great tip involves not letting your dog or dogs climb on your furniture. This is particularly important if you like to lie down on your couch or rest in a reclining chair. You do not want to have pet dander and hair in your face. If you must, covers can be used. There are a number of cloth style covers that can be used. They are a great alternative to the unattractive plastic covers. With that in mind, should you use cloth covers, be sure to wash them every few days or when too much pet hair accumulates.
Investing in an air purifier is another way that you can seek relief from a dog allergy, without having to find a new home for your beloved pet. Air purifiers work by eliminating air particles, including pet dander. It is best if you search online for air purifiers that are designed to help those with allergies. These air purifiers can easily be found with a standard internet search. Also, HEPA air filters and HEPA air purifiers are known for their amazing results.
Vacuuming as much as possible is another way to manage the symptoms that you may be experiencing due to having a dog allergy. In addition to vacuuming often, be sure to take a good, close look at the vacuum cleaner you are using. There are now vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters and they come highly rated and recommended. In fact, there are even some vacuum cleaners that are targeted towards and marketed towards pet owners. You should examine these vacuum cleaners.
The above mentioned steps are a few of the many steps that you can take to seek relief from allergies that you may be suffering due to close contact with your dog. As reminder, a doctor may be able to prescribe you prescription medication or recommend over-the-counter products that may work just as well. With that said, remember that treating allergies, especially pets allergies, naturally is usually much safer.
Are you looking for relief from your allergy symptoms? If you are, you may want to examine air purifiers. Air purifiers are a great way to seek relief from many of the most common allergy symptoms. In fact, some individuals see a complete elimination of allergy symptoms when they are in a home that has an air purifier.
If this is the first time that you are interested in buying an air purifier, you may be looking for guidance. After all, there are hundreds of air purifiers currently available for sale. If you are overwhelmed with all of your options, you will want to continue reading on. A few tips to help you buy an air purifier are outlined below for your convenience.
When looking to buy an air purifier for allergies, it is first advised that you examine HEPA air purifiers. Air purifiers that use HEPA technology come highly rated and recommended. All air purifiers capture and hold potentially harmful particles from the air, including mold, dust mites, and pet dander, but some do it better than others. It has been said that HEPA air filters trap around 90% of particles in the air, on average. This percentage is much higher than most other air purifiers and air filters.
Another great way to go about buying an air purifier that will produce good, quality results is by asking those that you know for recommendations. You can and should speak to your neighbors, coworkers, family, friends, and well as your doctor. Air purifiers have increased in popularity over the past few years. This is mostly due in part to the fact that many want to improve their health and the air insider their homes. If an individual that you know uses an air purifier, ask them for information on their purifier. Do they like it? What are the pros and cons of owning?
Another tip to help you choose an air purifier for allergy relief is by doing research online. If you like the price of an air purifier that you see available for sale locally, you may want to refrain from buying it right away. Instead, write down the make and model and do the research online when you get home. Many air purifiers are rated and reviewed online. Reading reviews and examining ratings can help you save money by avoiding air purifiers that are not worth their cost or too costly to maintain.
When looking to buy an air purifier for allergy relief, it is important to take quality into consideration. As previously stated, rating, reviews, and recommendations can help you gauge the quality of an air purifier. It is also important to restate that not all allergy air purifiers are created equal, as they do tend to produce different results. If you suffer from allergies, you will want to seek the best relief possible. Also, examine air purifiers for allergies that come with warranties. Generally speaking, a warranty means that a manufacturer completely stands behind their product, which should help to give you comfort and peace of mind.
Cost should also be examined when looking to choose an air purifier. When it comes to cost, it is always important to remember that you get what you pay for. You can expect to pay more money for high end air purifiers, but most find it more than worth it. To help you save money, consider shopping online or at least comparing prices online first. It is also important to examine the long-term costs of owning an air purifier. If filters are used, how often do they need to be replaced? What are the cost of them? Remember that you often end up paying more than just the sticker price when buying an air purifier.
The above mentioned factors should all be taken into consideration when looking to buy an air purifier. As a reminder, not all air purifiers are created equal, so make sure that you are buying the best.
