Whether you’re more a dog or a cat person, the benefits of owning a furry friend are well documented. The Mayo Clinic reports that stroking an animal releases oxytocin, a hormone which helps to combat stress and lower blood pressure. For Brits that suffer from airborne allergies, however, the potential side order of sneezes can offset the benefits of pets.
Recent research by Allevia, an allergy relief medication, has found that more than 1 in 4 Brits report being allergic to animal dander, making it the UK’s third most common airborne allergy (following pollen and dust.) This number rises among Gen Z, with 40% of under-24s claiming that owning pets can (literally) bring them out in hives.
No Pet Zone
Despite recent years seeing an upswing in animal adoption, not all Brits are onboard. Just under 1 in 5 British allergy sufferers surveyed (18%) claimed that they avoided having pets at home to manage their symptoms. Older Millennials were the most pet-averse generation, with 22% of survey respondents aged 35-44 declaring their home pet-free due to allergies, while younger Millennials were the most likely to put up with the sniffles for the sake of a furry housemate.
Elsewhere, 1 in 3 Brits claimed they avoided adopting a houseplant to lessen the impact of pollen allergies, with Gen Xers aged 45-54 the most plant-averse age group.
| Action taken to avoid symptoms | 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65+ |
| Avoid having pets at home | 18% | 14% | 22% | 16% | 17% | 20% |
| Avoid having plants at home | 29% | 35% | 30% | 36% | 32% | 32% |
What’s the Risk?
While the odd sneeze or itchy eye may not seem like a good reason to swerve animal (or plant) companionship to everyone, airborne allergies can lead to more serious symptoms. 1 in 10 Brits surveyed claimed they had suffered serious health complications due to airborne allergy symptoms, including struggling to breathe and being admitted to hospital.
Even when not battling such a severe reaction, Brits were avoiding more than just animals. Almost half of all survey respondents (43%) claimed they had avoided social gatherings or time with friends, while 1 in 4 claimed they had taken time off from work. With this equating to a potential 3.5 million Brits taking sick leave due to allergens, it’s clear airborne allergies are impacting the UK’s quality of life.
“These figures serve to put a little discomfort in perspective,” says a spokesperson at Allevia. “What we need to remember are that airborne allergies can be much more serious than a sneeze for some people.”
Rising to the Challenge
While the data can seem daunting, it’s not all over for man’s best friend just yet. The vast majority of Brits suffering from an airborne allergy were still willing to balance their love for their pets with their symptoms.
Over half of all survey respondents (52%) relied on a good spring clean to keep their symptoms at bay while in the presence of allergens, with hoovering, dusting and regular washing of sheets and soft furnishings the preferred symptom reduction method of Gen Zs (despite also rating themselves as the most likely to be allergic.)
“Despite the occasional need for a tissue, I would never swap my dog for a sneeze-free life”, says Michael, 46, from Kent who spoke to Allevia about managing his pet allergies. “While I may occasionally have to reach for a tissue, watching TV with Ronnie on my lap does wonders for my mood when I’ve had a hard day. I’m happy to wash my cushions more often if it means getting to share my home with my canine companion.”
One survey respondent claimed an air filter was the best way to reduce the impact of airborne allergy symptoms, while tea tree oil, regular showers and taking allergy relief medication were also popular ways of fending off allergens. It doesn’t seem as if the British public will give up their furry friends without a fight.
Allevia also offers tips on how to make your home allergy-proof while living with pets, helping allergy sufferers enjoy life with their pets more comfortably.
Top Tips for Managing Pet Allergy Symptoms at Home
1. Create Pet Free Zones
Creating a completely pet-free zone can be challenging, especially in a small apartment, but it’s still possible to manage your environment if you suffer from severe allergies. One effective way is to designate certain areas of your home, like the bedroom or living room, as off-limits to your pet. By keeping these spaces pet-free, you can significantly reduce the spread of allergens like dander, fur, and dust, which often trigger allergic reactions. In addition to setting boundaries, regularly cleaning these spaces can help maintain better air quality which will give you some relief.
2. Invest in an air filter
To breathe cleaner air in your home and reduce exposure to dust and pet dander – common triggers for sneezing – consider investing in an air filter. A filter with fine particle filtration, such as a HEPA filter, can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles.
3. Wash Pet Bedding
It’s essential to regularly wash your pet’s bedding, blankets, and toys, as dander particles can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions. To effectively eliminate allergens and maintain a clean sleeping environment, wash these items in hot, soapy water using an anti-allergen detergent. Allow them to soak thoroughly before rinsing to ensure the removal of any remaining irritants.
4. Opt for Hard Flooring
Carpets are notorious for nesting allergens. Consider replacing carpets with hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring, which are easier to clean and less likely to harbour allergens like pet dander.
For more information on British attitudes an experiences of allergies, please visit https://www.alleviaallergy.co.uk/understanding-allergies/how-do-allergies-impact-brits-day-to-day-lives for the full study.
More Stories
ELTEX, Inc. Reinforces Innovation in Japan’s E-commerce Solution Development with the Power of Infinidat’s InfiniBox® Enterprise Storage Solution
Turkeys take off while crowds flock to organic farm estate for Christmas countdown
HURST advisers to the fore as Tibard becomes employee-owned