Living with asthma means that you have to be proactive with the management of your condition. This means that, aside from having your inhaler close by, you’d have to avoid triggers of asthma as advised by your healthcare service provider in Hawaii.
One of the most common pieces of advice that people with asthma receive is to avoid taking care of pets like cats and dogs. The rationale behind this advice, which you might hear from other elders on home care services, is that dog fur can trigger asthma symptoms. It almost hits the spot, but people that suffer asthma symptoms after exposure to a dog or cat are allergic not to the fur, but the dander.
Dander are pieces of skin that flaked off from the animal’s flesh, and contains proteins that trigger allergic reactions. They go together with the fur when the dog or cat starts shedding its coat, which is why people say animal fur can cause allergies.
That’s no reason to get discouraged about keeping a pet though. If you like dogs – and who doesn’t? – but you have asthma, you can still take care of one. You’d need to stick to thin-coated dogs that shed less frequently, and thus less likely to shed dander. Here are a few dog breeds that fit that description:
- Afghan hound
- Bichon frise
- Maltese
- Poodle
- Spanish water dog
Make sure to keep up with their grooming to prevent mats and excessive shedding. Frequent vacuuming can also help prevent the onset of asthma symptoms, as it removes not only pet hair but also other allergens from your floors and carpets.
Are you looking for a healthcare service provider in Hawaii? Call us now at Helping Hands Health Care!
