| Are you one of those terribly unfortunate people | | | | week. Change the filter as often as necessary. It |
| who love dogs but have allergies? Maybe you love | | | | will make a big difference. |
| dogs, and do not have allergies to them, but your | | | | 4) Get rid of carpets and upholstery |
| new boyfriend or girlfriend does and you would | | | | This is an expensive request, but if you just can |
| like to move in together. Or maybe a visiting | | | | not live without your dog or your allergic partner, |
| relative has come who is allergic to dogs and you | | | | seriously consider having all carpets removed and |
| can not put your dog in boarding for a month. | | | | replaced with tile. Carpets are sinks for pet |
| There are lots of things you can do so that | | | | dander, as is cloth upholstery. Switching to leather |
| someone with an allergy to dogs can live in the | | | | furniture will significantly reduce the pet dander in |
| same house with a dog. Here are just a few | | | | the house. |
| ideas. | | | | 5) Wash both the person and the dog regularly |
| 1) Designate "No-Dog" Zones | | | | The person should wash their face and/or hands |
| Pick a few rooms of your house or apartment | | | | every time they touch the dog (a hassle, yes, but |
| where your dog is no longer allowed to go. The | | | | it is very effective). The dog should get a bath at |
| best and first choice should be the allergic person's | | | | least once a week. This can make all the |
| bedroom. Do whatever you have to do -- put up | | | | difference, and if you're having someone over |
| a baby gate, keep the door closed, whatever- to | | | | who is allergic to dogs, just washing the dog and |
| keep the dog out of the room at all times, even | | | | doing a good vacuuming job before they arrive |
| when the allergic person is not there. Giving your | | | | may be enough to minimize the reaction. If not, |
| allergic guest (or partner) a dog-free room will | | | | one Benadryl will reduce or block the allergy |
| help a lot with keeping their symptoms down. If | | | | symptoms, though you may have a sleepy guest. |
| possible, do keep the door closed and if you have | | | | 6) Try products specifically made to reduce dog |
| central heat, or vents between rooms, block off | | | | allergens |
| the vents to the dog-free areas. Also designate | | | | You can get wet-wipes called Allerpet D for Dogs |
| "dog-free" seating so your allergic guest does not | | | | that will significantly reduce the allergens given off. |
| have to recline back into dog hair. | | | | The results are temporary, but they will work for |
| 2) Get some HEPA air filters or air ionizers | | | | an overnight guest. There are also sprays you |
| These high-tech filters can pull pet dander out of | | | | can buy that purportedly deactivate pet allergens. |
| the air and will reduce the overall amount of | | | | 7) Reduce clutter |
| air-borne particles in the house. With fewer | | | | If you have fewer things in your house, there are |
| irritants, the less your allergic guest's nose will | | | | fewer places for dog allergens to accumulate. |
| have to get inflamed about. | | | | 8) Air out the house |
| 3) Get a HEPA vacuum cleaner - and vacuum a | | | | If it is a nice day out, and its not allergy season, |
| lot | | | | definitely open up those windows, get a cross |
| There are vacuums made specifically for people | | | | breeze going, and blow out all that dog dander. |
| with allergies. Get one. Use it at least twice a | | | | |