Virtual Medical Centre

• Replace carpeting with hard floors such as timber, tiles, linoleum.
• Damp dust or use electrostatic clothes to clean surfaces weekly.
• Vacuum carpets weekly.
• Reduce indoor humidity levels, for example, avoid evaporative air conditioning systems and unflued gas heaters.
• Consider Venetian or flat blinds rather than heavy curtains, or use curtains that are easily washed on a regular basis.
• Consider using house dust mite avoidance measures when building a new home.

Pets: Pets are a cause of allergic reactions in many people, whether it is your own pets or other people's pets at home or work. In the home environment, cats and dogs are a major source of allergens. There are no breeds of either cats or dogs that are allergen free, as the allergen comes from sweat glands in cats and salivary glands in dogs, and then adhere to the fur when it sheds. Cat allergen can be particularly difficult to remove from houses, and it can remain airborne for many months after the cat is removed. Cat allergen can also be found in places where cats have never lived, including schools and offices, where it is carried in on clothing by people who have been in contact with cats. Cat allergen has even been found in Antarctica, even though cats have never lived there! The most effective method of allergen avoidance for people who are allergic to pets is removal of the animal.

This can be a difficult decision to make, however a person's health is very important, especially when it is a child who is allergic to a pet. It is important that discussion about removal of an animal does not take place in front of the child, as they may suffer feelings of guilt. Dogs, guinea pigs, mice and rabbits are not as allergenic as cats and can be more easily kept outside, but removal of the animal may still be required if symptoms are severe. The effectiveness of measures such as keeping pets out of bedrooms and living areas, washing animals frequently and using HEPA filters in vacuum cleaners remains uncertain. Horse allergy is a particularly serious form of allergy, which can cause severe reactions even in small amounts, such as a small amount of animal hair on clothes of a person who lives in the same house as someone allergic to horses.