Dealing with the constant congestion, itching and wheezing, the splitting headaches and other discomforts of allergies, and loving the furry source of all this misery is a tough spot to be in. But it’s exactly where an estimated ten million American pet owners find themselves right now.

Beyond the wonderful companionship and unconditional love, dogs and cats have some remarkable physical effects on the body.

Caring and cuddling these little (and sometimes not so little) critters can reduce anxiety and actually lower our blood pressure. What an enjoyable, simple and totally natural way to do something good for your health.

Allergy symptoms that are caused by pets bring on the discomforts we’re all familiar with — those itchy, watery eyes, blotchy hives, constant sneezing, awful congestion — sometimes even asthma.

Experts believe that you can develop a dog allergy some months or even years after making the pet a part of your life. If this happens to you, your best bet is to get tested to be sure your symptoms are a result of man’s best friend — and not other allergens like pollen, dust or mold — that can also be culprits.

In rare instances people outgrow allergies, including those to pets.

One of the best ways to comfortably co-exist with your beloved furry friend is to identify your allergy and undergo a series of shots to desensitize your system. Over the counter or prescription medications are also available to treat the symptoms, though the best remedy is to remove the pet from the home.

If you’re a pet lover with identified allergies, you may have heard of hypoallergenic breeds, like those being considered by President-elect Barak Obama’s family. The problem is, according to experts, there really is no such thing as hypoallergenic breeds.

Research has shown that allergies aren’t caused by the hair, allergens are produced by the animal’s saliva, dander and urine — so even a hairless dog, or one of the breeds often identified as hypoallergenic such as bichon frises, poodles and Malteses willproduce allergens that are brought into the environment.

There really isn’t any research that points to whether certain breeds are more allergy-friendly than others, though the main dog allergen that people often react to isn’t present in all dogs. The most important factors related to pet allergies are the size of the animal and the volume of hair it has. Of course an outdoor animal can bring pollens, mold spores and other allergens into the home that may also trigger an allergy attack.

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Exposing the deadly dangers of dog food

This shocking report reveals the dangers of feeding your pet most commerical dog food – how the ingredients within processed dog food can lead to diseases like kidney failure, cancers, birth defects, blindnesss and behavior problems.

For the sake of your dog’s health this vital information should not be ignored.

Find out how you can stop your beloved pet dying early and in agony and give them the healthy life they deserve.

This year, overcome your allergies… continued

Before you commit to a new pet, consider a trial period so you can see how the person who has the allergies manages.

If you just fall in love with a four legged friend, yet someone at home has pet allergies, here are some tips you can try to keep everyone happy. You can…

- Keep the bedrooms pet free zones, no exceptions.
- Wash bedding weekly, including the pet’s bed.
- Have as little carpeting in the main living area as you can.
- Vacuum any carpeting daily.
- Use a HEPA air filter in the bedroom to trap and remove allergens from the air.
- Wash the dog once or twice each week.
- Wash your own hands after interacting with the animal.

By following these few steps you can help yourself cope with the awful symptoms allergies to pets cause and still live with the pet you love.

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1. Candles - the odors from scented candles can inflame your nasal cavities, according to James Wedner, M.D., chief of allergy and immunology at the Washington University School of Medicine.

Those with allergies are likely to have a runny nose or watery eyes when near a burning candle. Candles with scents like pumpkin are usually best tolerated.

If you’re having trouble with a candle, try to move away, extinguish it outside or get some fresh air yourself.

2. Perfume - has hundreds of chemicals, mostly untested on people, and when mixed with the essential oils in the perfume and sprayed into the air they can cause a person to sneeze, feel congestion or get a headache.

It’s hard, but ask people around you to go easy on the spray scents and suggest body creams and lotions as their scents aren’t quite as strong.

You might also keep a small fan in your office or car to keep the air moving.

3. Soaps and detergents - you might be surprised to learn that most of the itching you think is caused by a cleaning agent, is actually the fault of a perfume additive.

Look for “no additives”, “unscented” or “phthalate-free” on the label.

When drying clothes, use a sheet of aluminum foil in the dryer (instead of smelly static cling sheets) to get rid of static without the strong odor. You can also try a scent-free, no-additive dryer sheet.

4. Stuffed animals - can get chock full of dust mites, a problem for an estimated 15% of people.

You can try washing (in water 140 degrees or hotter), drying and then repeating (usually monthly) for favorite toys.

Toys that can’t be washed can be put in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few hours; this will also kill the mites. Store toys on a shelf, rather than on the bed.

5. Carpeting - it’s warm on your feet and feels wonderful, but even if you vacuum all the time, you still have dust mites.

Your best bet if you have a persistent allergy is to take out the carpeting and replace it with wood or tile and use area rugs instead.

Wash the rugs monthly, and keep the humidity of the space below 50%. Dust mites thrive in humid environments.

6. Spices - add zing to your food but as they come from pungent plants they also can bring on everything from sniffling to swelling of the nasal passages, itching and burning in the lips.

Avoid the troublesome ones including coriander, poppy seeds, pepper, dill, paprika, cumin and saffron — often found in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes.

If you’re not sure which spices are the trouble, try writing down what you eat each time you have an allergy attack and see if you can find a common theme.

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Sleep less BUT have more energy (like Jay Leno)

Do you find there’s not enough hours in the day to do all you’d like…Do you wake up feeling groggy and fatigued?

What if I told you you could sleep less and have MORE energy? I bet you’d snatch my hand off!

Think about all the things you could achieve with another 2 – 3 hours in the day.

Discover the new sleep solution designed with renowned Tiredness Expert Tina Hagen…

A study showed the effectiveness of these breakthrough techniques with:

- 98% of volunteers reported an increase in their energy levels
- 90% said they have no trouble getting up in the morning
- 72% said they felt healthier
- 87% said that they are able to think more clearly

Click through to find out how to sleep less BUT gain more energy

Eleven Unexpected Allergy Triggers continued…

7. Christmas Trees - the staple of the holidays is a place where mold grows very fast especially if the tree is put into a bucket of water or damp soil… a moist, dark place mold just loves.

Many people are either allergic to or irritated by the mold spores. A fake tree is the answer for many.

If you must have a real tree, avoid one that’s been cut weeks in advance, as its probably already ripe with mold. Be stingy with water once the tree is at home and keep it up for as short a time as possible.

8. Wall paint - the solvents and synthetic resins often lead to itchy eyes and headaches, with oil based paints being particularly troublesome as they continue to release chemicals even after they dry.

Keep the windows open as you work, and try to have fresh air circulating in the space for up to four weeks after finishing the work. Paints with low levels of VOCs send fewer chemicals in the air, but this isn’t a guarantee you won’t still have trouble with them.

9. Alcohol - it’s not an allergy to alcohol (which is rare) but the grains and additives used to make the liquor. Wheat or sulfur dioxide preservative can also cause stuffy noses or rash.

New York allergist Wellington Tichenor, MD also mentions grains like corn, barley and rye as well as fruit flavorings that can be troublesome too.

You might try grain free liquors like potato vodka, rum or tequila and skip flavored liqueurs. Look for wine labeled “sulfite-free”.

10. Buttons on Blue Jeans - are often made from nickel which can be a trigger for rashes in up to 20% of women. These can be itchy, red and sometimes causes blisters and are often treated with topical creams.

To avoid these symptoms replace the buttons with plastic ones or coat the button with clear nail polish, a remedy found to work by a recent St. Louis University study.

11. Lemons and limes - limonene, the zesty compound in lime and other citrus fruits, leaves many with watery eyes and a burning feeling in the nose. You might even have irritation on your skin if you touch, eat or drink products with limonene.

Treat any rash with topical hydrocortisone creams and skip the garnish with your drink or salad. Watch for lime in salad dressings, marinades and desserts as well.

Many allergens can be avoided but you’ll need to keep your eyes open for ‘hidden’ triggers like the ones mentioned above.

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