If you have a pet in your house, you must be worried about the pet hair that can cause allergic symptoms. However, you will be surprised to know that it’s not the pet hair, it’s the dander produced by your pet that becomes airborne and causes allergies. The protein in the pet’s saliva and urine are also allergens. This is not good news. You need to make sure that your home is free from such airborne particles. Some people use air purifiers at home to get rid of this problem. But do air purifiers work for pet allergies?
What is pet dander?
Pet dander is microscopic flecks of skin that are shed by the pets like cats, dogs or birds. Not everyone has an allergic reaction to pet dander. If there is someone in your house who has asthma or has an allergic reaction to pet dander, then you should take measures immediately. These can affect the lung function and make it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of such allergies include sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, rashes, etc.
Do air purifiers work for pet allergies?
If someone in your house is sensitive to pet allergens, your primary job will be to improve the indoor air quality. You will find different kinds of air purifiers on the market including smoke purifier, odor purifier, etc. You should buy an air purifier that has the highest airflow. This type of air purifier will remove pet allergens from the air. You should make sure that the air filter has a HEPA filter; otherwise, it won’t work. A HEPA filter can also get rid of mold, dust, smoke or bacteria, giving you fresher air to breathe. Air purifiers that come with an ‘Activated Carbon filter’ can remove pet odor as well.
Air purifiers having HEPA filters can remove airborne particles that are as tiny as 0.30 micrometers. These purifiers can successfully remove 99.97% of those particles. In case of other types of pet allergens like sweat or dried saliva, these air purifiers won’t work. A purifier that uses Photo Electrochemical Oxidation technology is also good at eliminating pet dander. Many people consider ionizers, but these won’t be able to remove pet dander. The ionizing air purifiers also produce ozone which is bad for health.
Precautions to take:
Some misconceptions:
People have a lot of misconceptions about pet allergies. The most common misconception is that pet hair causes allergies. This is not true. Pet allergies are caused by dander, urine and saliva. Another misconception is that a cat or dog of a particular breed doesn’t cause allergy. But the truth is that pets of every breed produce dander. Many people think that if you keep your pet outside the home, your allergy problem will be solved. But in reality, the allergens can stick to your clothes and so you can bring these allergens inside home.
Conclusion:
In the U.S. more than 65% of people own a pet. About 10% of pet owners have pet allergies. This is alarming. If there is someone in the house with asthma or other respiratory problems, then their health might be at risk. You should buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter to get rid of the pet allergies. You should always keep your pet and your house clean so that the pet dander cannot accumulate in the house. Try to keep your pets outside as much as possible and keep out of your bed, carpet, sofa or furniture.
If pet odor is a problem for you, then buy an air filter with the ‘Activated carbon filter’ option. It will not only make your indoor air clean but will also leave your house smelling fresh. When you buy an air purifier, make sure you invest in the best quality product so that you can keep your home fresh and healthy.
