2024-02-20
Pet medicine-Allergic to Your Dog or Cat? These OTC Allergy Medications Can Help
It’s likely that you own a pet or know someone — such as a friend, coworker, or neighbor — who does. If you’re allergic to pets, it can be very difficult to avoid what causes your allergies. Pet hair itself doesn’t directly cause allergies, but it often carries the substances that do. This includes dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and pet urine. Plus, pet hair often carries allergens from the environment, including mold, pollen, and dust. In addition to directly touching a pet — most commonly cats and dogs — you may come into contact with pet hair that’s shed on clothing and other surfaces.Common allergic reactions from pets can include symptoms of allergic rhinitis — sneezing and runny or itchy nose — and allergic conjunctivitis, or itchy, red, and watery eyes. In many cases, over the counter (OTC) allergy medications can help prevent and manage these symptoms. But not all OTC allergy medications are created equally, so it’s important to keep a few tips in mind.