Does your little one have a pet allergy? (Pet Allergy) Let's talk about this!

It is common for us to have a pet or two in our homes. It is also very happy when we see children playing with animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, and squirrels. But sometimes, when your little one goes near these animals, does he suddenly start sneezing, his eyes get red, his skin itches, or he has difficulty breathing? If you have seen something like this, then perhaps the reason for this could be your beloved pet at home. Today, let's talk about allergies caused by these pets, that is, `(Pet Allergy)`.

Why are these pets a problem for some children? What are these "Triggers"?

Simply put, "triggers" are things that make your child's asthma or other allergies worse. These can vary from person to person. Some people are allergic to dust, others to pollen, and still others to pets.

Now let's see why these animals are considered bad. Many people think that the fur of animals is bad. But in reality, the problem is not only in the fur. Animals:

• Saliva
• In urine
• Dead skin cells in powder (this is called `(dander)` - to be precise, just like the dander that falls off our heads, animals also shed tiny pieces of dead skin. These are too small to be seen with the naked eye.)

These things contain a special type of protein. That protein is what causes allergies. So, when a child with an allergy comes into contact with things that contain these proteins, for example, when an animal licks the child, or when the child breathes in an area with animal dander, the child's immune system suddenly goes into overdrive. That is, the body thinks that some germ has entered the body. That is when symptoms such as sneezing, redness of the skin, and shortness of breath appear.

What should I do if I suspect my child has a bad attitude towards animals?

If you think your child is having these kinds of problems because of a pet, the best thing to do is to see a pediatrician or an allergist and have your child get an allergy test. This test can find out exactly what your child is allergic to. It may not only be animals, but other things as well. That's why it's very important to get this test done.

What do we do if our child is confirmed to be allergic to animals?

Imagine that your child has been tested and is diagnosed with an animal allergy. You then have to make a difficult but important decision: Should you keep the pet at home or find a better, more loving place for it?

This is not an easy decision. Everyone in the family, especially the children, probably loves this animal very much. Maybe you do too. But sometimes we have to make difficult decisions when we think about the health of our child.

The best thing to do if your child is allergic is to remove the animal from the home. However, this is not something everyone can do, and it can be difficult to make up their mind. Your child, other children in the family, and perhaps even the two of you, may be very upset by this decision.

However, in some cases, the doctor may say that there is some chance that the animal can be kept, either by using the medicine given to the child or by taking a series of special injections (allergy shots) to reduce the allergy. Even then, the child's contact with the animal must be limited as much as possible. This is like walking on a tightrope, you have to be very careful.

If you keep the animal at home, how can you protect the child?

Okay, let's say you've decided, after talking to your doctor, to keep the animal at home, but you're doing your best to protect the baby. So, here are a few things you can do:

• Keep pets away from your child's bedroom and playroom. The room where your child spends the most time, especially the bedroom, should be the safest place for them. If the pet comes there, the allergens on its body will settle on the child's bed, pillow, and floor. Then the child will breathe in those things all night. That can only make things worse, right?
• Gently teach your child not to pet the animal and not to tease it. This is difficult to explain to a young child. But try. Say something simple like, "Son/daughter, if you kiss the dog/cat, you will cough and itch."
• Sweep the house, especially the floor, thoroughly and vacuum it daily. Dander may have collected along with the dust.
• Remove rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting as much as possible, especially from your child's room. These tend to trap more allergens.
• Bathe your pet at least once a week and comb their fur. But don't let your child do this, have someone else do it. Bathing your pet can reduce the amount of dander that causes allergies.
• If you have a cat at home, keep its litter box away from your child. Also, don't put the box near air vents. Cat urine also contains that allergenic protein.
• Teach your children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap after playing with animals, and instill the same habit in yourself.
• If you have a caged animal (e.g., a rabbit, hamster, parrot), don't put the cage in a room where the child often hangs out. Also, have someone other than the child clean the cage daily.
• If there is a caged animal in the classroom (e.g., a class pet), let the teacher know about your child's allergy in advance. The teacher can then keep the child away from the animal for a while.
• If possible, get a good air purifier for your child's room or playroom – preferably one with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. This filter captures very small particles in the air, such as dander. There are also central air filtration systems that can be installed throughout the house, but they are a bit more expensive.

But one thing to remember. Sometimes, even doing these things may not be enough. You know what? Those allergens that come from animals are airborne. They can be spread throughout the house through air conditioning systems and fans, even if the animal is out of the room. So, while doing these things, always pay attention to your child's symptoms.

If no matter what you do, it's difficult for the child, do you have to remove the animal from the house?

Yes, this is the most unpleasant question to ask. However, if you have done everything mentioned above, given your child the prescribed allergy medicine and allergy shots, and your child continues to have difficulty, or if you have to give your child a lot of medication when you are around the animal, then perhaps your only and best option is to find a good home where the animal can be lovingly cared for.

If you have to make this kind of decision, you should definitely talk to your child about it. Say something that he or she can understand, like, "Son, we are sending Baby (name of the animal) to another home because you are coughing and having difficulty breathing. That aunt/uncle will take good care of Baby." Make him or her understand that this is not his or her fault. Also, stop other siblings from blaming the child for this, saying things like, "Our cat left because of you." Sending a beloved animal away, even to a friend's house, is very difficult for everyone in the family. Let them feel that sadness and talk about it.

Another thing is, even after removing the animal from the house, it can take several months for the dander to completely leave the house. So, don't worry if your child's symptoms don't improve immediately after removing the animal. Continue to clean the house thoroughly.

What do you do if you go to a house with animals?

Sometimes you have to visit a relative or friend's house with pets. If you do, keep these things in mind:

• Start giving your child the allergy medicine prescribed by the doctor the day before you leave.
• Be sure to also bring emergency medicine (`quick-relief medicine` or `rescue medicine` - for example, an `inhaler` for a child with asthma).
• Even when you go to that house, try to keep your child as far away from the animal as possible. Don't let them touch or cuddle the animal.
• Even after returning from there, it's a good idea to change the child's clothes quickly and bathe him if possible.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, if you think your child is also averse to pets, don't worry.

• The first thing to do is to seek medical advice. See a doctor and find out exactly what the problem is. Get an allergy test.
• If it is confirmed that your child is allergic to animals, you can talk to your doctor and manage these things in a way that works best for you and your family.
• If you keep the animal at home, keep the environment where the child lives as clean as possible, and follow the advice mentioned earlier.
• Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions. The health of your child is the most important thing.
• When making decisions like this, it is very important to comfort the child and make them understand that this is not their fault.

If you would like to learn more about this, talk to your family doctor or a pediatrician. They can give you more good advice.

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