Living with allergies and pets can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are a few strategies that may help:

  1. Keep pets out of certain rooms in your home, such as your bedroom, to reduce your exposure to pet dander.
  2. Regularly groom your pet and vacuum or dust your home to remove pet dander.
  3. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove pet dander from the air.
  4. Take an antihistamine before spending time with your pet, especially if you know you will be exposed to them for an extended period of time.
  5. If you are severely allergic, consider consulting an allergist or immunologist for treatment options such as allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops)
  6. Choose a hypoallergenic breed: Some breeds, such as poodles, schnauzers, and bichon frises, produce less dander and are considered hypoallergenic.
  7. Wash up : Ideally, you’d wash your pets once or twice a week. If that’s too frequent, at least wash your own hands and face regularly, especially right after cuddling your pet. And when you do bathe him or her, you may want to try a dander-reducing shampoo, which some people swear by. Ask your vet for recommendations.

It’s important to remember that no single strategy will completely eliminate your symptoms, so it may take a combination of these measures to effectively manage your allergies. It’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.