Aqui vos deixo alguma info acerca deste "polémico" tema.
cumprimentos,
luis monteiro
P.S.: Infelizmente o texto é em inglês, não encontrei muita info em PT.
De qq forma, a fonte é fidedigna: www.webmd.com
P.P.S: A "tradução"
;está aqui http://arcadenoe.clix.pt/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2142 alguns posts mais abaixo... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aqui vai + info acerca das alergias e possíveis formas de tentar controlar a sua sintomatologia:
Pet Allergies
Approximately 10% of people are allergic to cats or dogs. It's hard for most people to admit that their allergy symptoms could be caused by a family pet they love so much. Just the thought of having to give up your pet is heartbreaking. This article focuses on pet allergies and things you can do to control your allergy symptoms so that you can live comfortably with your pet.
Cat Allergies
The protein that causes cat allergies is present in the saliva. Tiny skin flakes (dander) that contain the protein stay in the cat's fur until the cat shakes, moves, or bathes itself. Once the protein gets loose from the fur, it floats in the air. It is microscopic and very lightweight, so it can remain floating in the air for several hours, or even several days if people are moving around in the house. Cat dander can remain in a home for months after the cat has been removed from the home. This allergen typically causes allergy symptoms after being inhaled. If you are allergic to cats, you don't need to touch the cat to develop an allergic reaction.
Dog Allergies
Dog allergies are also caused by a protein found in the dog's dander and saliva. A common myth about dog allergies is that some breeds cause less severe allergic reactions than other breeds. This is not true — all dogs have dander, which can cause an allergic reaction. A breed with shorter hair will not cause fewer allergy problems than a breed with longer hair.
Allergies to Other Animals
A protein in the urine of guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, mice, and hamsters can cause allergy symptoms as well as the protein in bird droppings.
Living With Your Pet
To reduce your contact with pet allergens:
Keep your pet outdoors or only in one room that doesn't have carpeting or upholstered furniture (such as the kitchen). Mop the floor daily.
Keep your pet out of your bedroom to reduce the amount of dander on your bed, the carpeting, and on your clothing.
Provide a bed for your pet to sleep on – don't let your pet sleep on your bed. Wash your pet's bedding every week.
Use a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter on your heating or air-conditioning unit to help catch airborne allergens. If you don't have a forced air system, you may want to install an air cleaner with a HEPA filter in your home.
Bathe your pet about once a week to get rid of some of the allergens in the fur. Soap is not necessary and can dry your pet's skin – bathing with water alone is fine.
Clean anything made of fabric frequently. This includes upholstered furniture, carpeting, drapes, and curtains. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Have an allergy-free person clean your pet's cage, preferably outdoors.
If you are thinking about getting a pet, but you are allergic to cats, dogs, rodents, and birds, consider getting an animal that is less likely to cause allergy symptoms, such as fish.
Wash your clothing after wearing it – don't put worn clothing (exposed to allergens) back in your closet with your clean clothes.
Shower and wash your hair every day to get allergens off of your skin and hair.
Talk to your doctor about the different options for allergy treatments. Ask about using an inhaled nasal steroid to treat pet allergies, so that you and your pet can live together comfortably.
e 10 mitos acerca das alergias (notem o Mito 8... )
Myth #1:
Some dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas, are better for people with asthma and allergies.
Reality:
It is the protein found in the pet's saliva, dander and urine that causes allergies in some individuals, not the pet's hair. Since all dogs have dander, saliva and urine, there are no particular breeds which are better for people with asthma and allergies.
Myth #2:
Inhaled medications, such as inhalers, are dangerous.
Reality:
Inhaled medications, including corticosteroids, are the safest and most effective means to treat asthma that currently exists.
Myth #3:
Children outgrow asthma.
Reality:
Asthma is a chronic state of hyperresponsiveness. Some children have asthma symptoms that clear during adolescence while others worsen, but the tendency to overly sensitive airways remains. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict a child's clinical progress.
Myth #4:
Asthma can be cured.
Reality:
There is no cure for asthma. However, with the proper diagnosis and treatment, asthmatics can lead normal, active lives with little disturbance to quality of life.
Myth #5:
Alternative medications are equally effective as prescription medications.
Reality:
Alternative medications should never substitute for traditional, scientifically-proven medical treatments for asthma and allergies. Alternative medications have only recently been subject to scientific scrutiny, so the safety and effectiveness of these therapies remains unknown.
Myth #6:
Moving to Southwestern states will cure asthma and allergies.
Reality:
Moving to Southwestern states may relieve allergies for a few months. However, new allergies to local plants in the new area can develop within a short period of time. There is no safe place to move away from allergies and asthma.
Myth #7:
Chiropractors can treat asthma effectively.
Reality:
Asthma results from over reactivity of the immune system. Because of this, allergy/immunology specialists are often the best physicians to treat asthma and allergies. These specialists are pediatric/internal medicine physicians who have elected an additional two years of training to become specialized in the treatment of these diseases.
Myth #8:
Continuous exposure to pets will decrease allergies.
Reality:
Continuous exposure to pets will not decrease allergies. The best way to relieve symptoms is to remove the pet from the home. If removing the pet is not an option, pet owners should keep the pet out of the bedroom, bathe the pet twice weekly to reduce the amount of allergens into the air, have a non-allergic family member brush the pet outside and clean out the animal's cage or litter box frequently.
Myth #9:
Allergies are a harmless problem.
Reality:
Allergies are a serious problem and should be treated effectively. If left untreated, allergies can lead to impaired quality of life, including impaired sleep and learning ability, as well as missed school and work. Untreated allergies can also result in other chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, sinusitis or dermatologic disorders such as eczema and urticaria. Some allergies, such as food allergies, drug allergies or insect sting allergies can even lead to a life- threatening reaction called anaphylaxis—a systemic allergic reaction that sometimes can be fatal.
Myth #10:
Smoking does not trigger allergies or asthma.
Reality:
Smoking is a known trigger of allergies and asthma and should not be ignored. Other triggers include, pollens, molds, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, latex, stinging insects and certain foods.
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial tubes and affects more than 17 million Americans. Common symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, difficulty breathing during or after physical activity and waking up at night due to any of these symptoms. Asthma results in more than 5,000 deaths each year. Allergic rhinitis, or "hay fever", is an inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes due to an allergic response and affects more than 40 million Americans. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, coughing, itchy eyes, throat or ears, shortness of breath and fatigue. See your allergist for more information on diagnosis and treatment.