- Stinging Nettle:
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Medical researchers found that stinging nettle was effective at treating allergy symptoms in patients involved in a study. Used for centuries to treat allergies as well as arthritis and muscle pain, stinging nettle just might be the ticket for you to better enjoy your furry friends.
- Quercetin:
- According to the National Institute of Health, Quercetin was effective for reducing the painful inflammation and immune-system’s histamine response caused by sensitivity to irritants. Not only that, Quercetin is also a powerful antioxidant. Although it’s naturally found in many plant-based foods like onions, broccoli and apples, a supplement may be worth trying to reduce your sensitivity to pets.
- Bromelain:
- An enzyme naturally occurring in Pineapple, Bromelain has been found to help relieve bronchitis and sinusitis in medical research studies. Be aware that Bromelain might also increase your absorption of certain prescription medications, so be sure to talk with your doctor before taking it or any other health/dietary supplements.
- Butterbur
- Butterbur has been shown to reduce migraine headaches and additional medical research studies suggest that it is also effective for treating allergy symptoms as well. Be aware, not all Butterbur supplements are created equal, some Butterbur may contain a compounds called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs are not good for the liver so using a Butterbur supplement that is PA free is best.
- AllQlear by Integrative Therapeutics:
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Consider taking a natural respiratory and immune support formula such as AllQlear by Integrative Therapeutics. This formula was discovered accidentally while doing research on quail farmers in the 1970’s. What they found was quail farmers had a lower incidence of developing seasonal and animal dander sensitivity…including cat dander! AllQlear is a physician level formula but you can call in and order from our clinic to be shipped to you.
How to get rid of cat allergies naturally:
More about how to get rid of cat allergies:
Sensitivity to pet dander from cats and dogs are on the rise. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, they can affect as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children. Conventional medicine has a few solutions such as over-the-counter and prescription antihistamine drugs, which can alleviate symptoms for some individuals, but at what cost? Many drugs cause drying of mucus membranes, which will just put you at an increased risk of developing other illnesses such as colds and sinus infections. Rather than pharmaceuticals, we hope this article will help you learn how to get rid of cat allergies naturally.
The best medicine for cat/dog allergies is to expose children to pets before the age one. Babies raised in homes with cats/dogs as household pets had reduced risk of developing allergies by a wide margin over the child’s entire life. Not only this, but it is now commonly accepted in the medical literature that exposure to pet dander as a baby also helps build up a healthy immune system in infancy.
- Remove your shoes as before you walk into the house: This will help prevent tracking in other allergens such as dust, and pollen, which could make existing dander sensitivity worse.
- Wash and brush your pets weekly: regular grooming will prevent a buildup of dead skin and fur, and lowers the amount of dander in the air.
- Use essential oils for cat/dog allergies: Reduce the use of artificial perfumes such as scented candles, perfumes, and scented cleaning products and use essential oils instead. These artificial scents irritate the respiratory system and can worsen symptoms associated with human sensitivity to cat dander. Consider using a cold diffuser of 100% therapeutic grade essential oils such as DoTerra Essential oils, as a safe and effective air freshener that can help support natural respiratory health as well as add clean scents into the air.
- Wash all bedding in hot water: Wash all bedding in hot water using a hypoallergenic laundry detergent weekly. This reduces the overall dander load that accumulates on clothing and in the air.
- Breathe Clean Air: Get a HEPA air purifier and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Even Best Friends Need Space: Don’t let your pet sleep in your bed or bedroom.
Other ways to get rid of cat allergies naturally:
Other immune support options include the use of citrus bioflavonoids. Bioflavonoids have been used for many years by doctors to treat inflammation and the body’s histamine response, and have been used clinically in my practice with great success. Bioflavonoids are rich in ingredients such as rutin and quercitin ,which have anti-inflammatory effects that help stabilize capillaries and reduce signs and symptoms related to hay fever.
If you try all of these tips and are still having trouble with pet dander sensitivity and inflammation or histamine response in general, Dr. Dani offers online virtual appointments for out-of-town consultations as well as in-person comprehensive naturopathic and acupuncture appointments for people who live in or around Portland, Oregon. At Terrain Wellness we believe every person is treated individually and we strive to cater treatments to work with that person’s individual needs and lifestyles.
Long-term allergies can sometimes be difficult to navigate on your own. Dr. Dani works with patients to investigate the most effective and efficient treatment to help you feel optimal and thrive in all areas of health. Dr. Dani can quickly identify underlying food sensitivity that cause the body to “overreact” to certain substances in the environment. She does this by using a combination of exercise, nutrition, herbs and minerals to restore the bodies’ ability to cope with physical and emotional stress, leading to an increased ability to fight excessive inflammation and reduce reactions to allergens.
Dr. Danielle Lockwood is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon. She is the lead physician here at Terrain Wellness, an integrative medical clinic that focuses on restoring and re-balancing the body to treat chronic ailments using acupuncture, naturopathic and primary care medicine in Portland, Oregon. She has a passion for educating the public on the effective use of natural medicine.
Photo Credit: Boomer the cat Nikki Martinez/My Foster Kittens. Nikki has fostered and found loving homes for hundreds of cats. She works tirelessly to end animal abuse and raise awareness on how to safely and naturally raise cats. visit her Instagram for more information @myfosterkittens.
