Pets are wonderful companions, but for some, having a pet is next to impossible because of allergies. According to studies, 15 percent of the population is allergic to either cats or dogs (or both). Even though one-third of Americans (approx. 2 million people) are allergic to cats, they have at least one in their home anyway. Most people believe the benefits of owning a pet outweigh the difficulties of allergies.
There are no “non-allergic” breeds of cats or dogs. Even the hairless breeds can cause allergies to flare up. A poodle or Bichon Frise can cause fewer allergy problems than some other type of dog breeds due to their soft and continual growing fur. Any dog or cat of a particular breed can cause more or less allergy suffering than another from that same breed.
The source of the allergy problem is in the glands of the animal’s skin which secrete allergens. The allergens are present in the animal’s saliva and can become airborne from drying on the fur. The severity can vary from person to person and can range from sniffling or sneezing to asthma. If the allergies are not life-threatening, there are steps that can be taken to help make living with a pet more bearable. For instance, have an area in your home that is allergy-free, such as the bedroom.
Do not allow your pets in this area. Use impermeable covers for the mattress and pillows.
Using a high-efficiency HEPA air cleaner throughout your home can help.
Avoid dust-collecting furnishings, fabric draperies and carpets. Clean thoroughly and frequently. Wash sofa covers, pillows, curtains, and pet beds. Use a microfilter bag in the vacuum cleaner to help catch the allergens.
You can reduce the allergens on your pet 84 percent by bathing your pet weekly.
Products sprayed on your pet to help reduce allergens are not as effective as bathing.
You shouldn’t assume it’s your pet’s fault if you have allergies. See an allergist to be specifically tested for pet dander. Allergy sufferers are usually sensitive to more than one allergen and not to just pets.
You will need to address the causes of the total allergens in your living area and not to just pet allergens. Allergy shots can improve but not eliminate the allergy symptoms.
Other treatments for pet allergies include steroidal and antihistamine nose sprays or pills. In order for an allergic person to be able to successfully live with a pet, it usually requires a combination of behavioral changes, medication for symptoms, good housecleaning, and allergy shots. With children, sometimes the allergy is outgrown, but few adult allergy sufferers become accustomed to the pet that they are allergic to.
Valley Life
Paw Prints: Bathing pet weekly can cut allergens by 84 percent
- Valley Life
-
-
FAMILY TIES: While searching for my grandfather, I found my mother
I remember the afternoon my mother received the chilling news from her nephew that her oldest sister and brother-in-law had been killed in a car/bus collision.
-
GRAPE SENSE: Same old whites getting you down? Try something different
If the same old Chardonnay, Riesling or Pinot Grigio is getting you down, try something different.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: A Rhubarb Nut Bread for the season
Last fall we went to the Covered Bridge Festival. Gene loves to go. Anyway, I got to talking to this lady, Treva Smith, at Bridgeton.
-
ENGAGEMENT: Published May 12, 2013
Stoelting-Steele
-
Friends of Library plans annual book sale
The Friends of the Vigo County Public Library is planning its annual book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. May 19 in the Main Library Lower Level Meeting Rooms A, B, C and D.
-
Woman’s Press Club celebrates 100 years
On Feb. 18, 1913, a group of 13 female journalists and activists met for lunch at the Tea Room in L. S. Ayres Department Store in downtown Indianapolis to found the Woman’s Press Club of Indianapolis.
-
Children’s Museum to host orientation for summer volunteers
Those who are looking for a way to give back to the community and have fun at the same time are invited to attend a volunteer orientation session at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
-
Walk for greyhound rescue
A family pet walk fundraiser open to all breeds is set for at 2 p.m. May 19 at Buggs Temple on the Canal Walk in Indianapolis.
-
‘Food Safety: From Garden Gates to Dinner Plates’ workshop coming up in June
There is a new law on the books in Illinois called the Cottage Food Operation Act of 2011. This new law allows for the preparation and sale of certain low-risk foods in the private home without the expense of a commercially certified kitchen and for the sale of said foods at a farmers market.
-
Scams are brown bag focus
The Vigo County Public Library’s next brown bag event, “Don’t Be a Victim!” featuring Amy Wardlow, is set for 12:10 p.m. Thursday at the main branch.
-
Countryside, Kalorama gardens celebrating opening weekend
Countryside Gardens, owned by Terry and Jennie O’Rourke, and Kalorama Gardens, owned by Steve and Linda Gard, opened for the season this weekend. Both gardens are in Marshall, Ill. Opening days continue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.
-
Saturday seminar to bring nationally known genealogists to Ivy Tech
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society is offering the public a unique opportunity to learn more about the new techniques and methods now available for individuals interested in doing genealogical research on the Internet.
-
Evening Thyme Garden Club to host garden fair at Clark County Fairgrounds
The Evening Thyme Garden Club will present the 15th annual garden fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday at Clark County Fairgrounds in Marshall, Ill., with free parking and admission.
-
Student mentoring program offers one-on-one technology instruction
The Connecting Generations Mentoring Program can help those who would like one-on-one instruction on how to use the Internet or other technology.
-
CULINARY COURSES: Clabber Girl Classroom Kitchen provides variety of cooking courses for the Valley
There are a few taste-bud-tantalizing-perks for having America’s leading baking powder producer in your backyard. For nearly 120 years, Clabber Girl has been a staple in Terre Haute. In 1899, Hulman and Company began offering up what was to become one of the oldest brands in the country, Clabber baking powder. In 1923, the company changed the baking powder brand name to Clabber Girl.
-
CHRIS DAVIES: Keep sodium levels in mind when sweating buckets
Salt, or sodium, is vital to life. Too much or too little sodium can cause all kinds of problems in your body. How much sodium do we need if we are exercising consistently?
-
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Union Hospital creates community garden
Union Hospital will be opening a community garden on its campus in mid-May. Before they embarked on such a challenge, they looked to their neighbor Indiana State University for advice.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Try this when you’ve got to avoid salt
I have a good friend in an assisted living complex. She went to her doctor last winter and he told her she had to leave off the salt. My mother used this when dad couldn’t have any salt.
I like to keep this on hand. In summer when it’s real hot I keep in refrigerator. Keep in an air tight container. -
NEWSMAKER: May 5, 2013
Carolyn Whitcomb Jeffries was installed as president of the State Huguenot Society of Indiana on April 21 at Meridian Hills Country Club of Indianapolis.
-
ANNIVERSARY: Published May 5, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Abel
Larry and Rose Abel will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.
The couple will have a reception in June. -
ENGAGEMENT: Published May 5, 2013
Nasser-Haynes
Kayla Kristine Nasser and Geoffrey Miller Haynes, both of Terre Haute, were united in marriage on Sept. 22, 2012, at Crosslane Community Church, officiated by Brett Wilson. -
RIVER OF SOUND: Composer sees symphony bring his musical imagination to life
David Watkins smiled as he stood on the Tilson Auditorium stage. The audience stood, too, applauding.
Two of his compositions had just been performed by the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Neither piece — “A Wabash Portrait” and “River Fanfare” — had been played publicly in decades. -
GRAPE SENSE: The greatest thing to happen to wine since screw caps
Wine industry innovation has been pretty limited beyond winemaking. Arguably, screw caps and synthetic closures have been the most influential innovations in recent years.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Healthy Granola Bars good for everyone
I always liked Granola bars. Also Granola, to eat by handful. Pat Coolley always keeps granola on hand to nibble on. I don’t like raisins so I use dried cherries or cranberries instead. Instead of brown sugar use Splenda or your choice. I also use sugar-free syrup. So my husband, Gene, can eat these bars, too. This recipe comes from Rose Hill Community Church.
-
Marie Cunningham celebrates 95th birthday
Marie K. Cunningham of Terre Haute will celebrate her 95th birthday on May 5, 2013, during an open house from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the activity room of Cannon Inn.
A party with cake, coffee and punch is planned. -
Engagement: Published April 28, 2013
Royer-Higgins
-
Anniversaries: Published April 28, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Stephens
Mr. and Mrs. Everett Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Merrill Schroer
-
The Beauties of Spring: Stunning array of wildflowers bloom each spring in Collett Park
Groundskeepers put off the first mowing of Collett Park each spring.
Admirers of the place, Terre Haute’s oldest park, like it that way.
A stunning array of wildflowers covers the 21-acre lawn for a few short weeks. Those plants, known as “spring beauties,” emerge in March, bloom in April and go dormant by May, when the brilliant waves of white and pink flowers disappear. -
YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Intern working to improve city's sustainability
In 2012 officials with the Institute of Community Sustainability at Indiana State University arranged for a meeting with Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett. The meeting resulted in the placement of an unpaid sustainability intern in the Mayor’s office.
-
TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Make these party potatoes in advance
I always enjoy mashed potatoes. I never thought you could improve them. But this is so good.
- More Valley Life Headlines
-
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Twiggy, the Water Skiing Squirrel
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
