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August 9, 2010October 16, 2014

Dealing With Cat Allergies

Allergies are the most widespread chronic condition in the world and 4 out of 5 people who are allergic to animals are allergic to cats. Some research shows about a third of those that suffer from cat allergies live with at least one cat.

Now cats are not the only animal that causes allergies. Many people can be allergic to dogs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, gerbils, monkeys, horses and pretty much any other furry animal. Some people even think they are allergic to their fish when in reality they are allergic to the algae growing in the fish tank.

For years the doctor’s first and best solution was to tell the patient to find their furry pet a new home. Today people will make that the last thing they will consider. After all it’s hard to get rid of a family member and our pets are part of the family. People are looking for another solution.

First of all let me say, even if you get rid of the cat you will still have cat allergens all over the house. Pet dander is very light and floats around sticking to everything it comes in contact with including the walls, carpet, furniture, drapes, blinds, light fixtures and ac systems. We have had customers with cat allergies who moved into a home that had been pet-free for at least a year and they still had allergic reactions.

Keeping your cat can be done in most cases however for some people with severe allergies this is not an option. The most important thing you need to do is reduce and eliminate anything that collects the cat’s dander. We offer a complete guide on How to Deal with Cat Allergies.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause
AllergyStore.com
800 771-2246

June 24, 2010October 17, 2014

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites in Stuffed Toys

dust mites in stuffed toys are not a problem with floppy puppy

If your daughter is like mine, she collected plenty of stuffed animals and other toys over the years. When she left for college it took 4 large plastic tubs to hold them all. So we are not strangers to the problem of dust mites in stuffed toys.

Every day, we talk to many Moms who are trying to clean up their kids rooms. The conversation always gets to the plush toys and how to get rid of the dust mites in stuffed toys. In many cases its not so much a dust mite problem but more of a dust problem. My daughter kept most of her stuffed toys in a net that hung over the bed. They just got dustier as every day that passed.

The easiest way to get rid of dust mites in stuffed animals it to simply

buddy bear stops dust mites in stuffed toys

throw the toys away. JUST KIDDING! We have found that you can put a stuffed toy in the freezer for about 24 hours and then toss them in a dryer on air only (no heat) and get rid of most of the dust mites. Freezing kills the dust mites and the tumble dryer beats the dust out of the toy.

Regular stuffed toys are never the same when you wash them so freezing is a nice alternative if you have standard plush toys. If you

floppy monkey stops dust mites in stuffed toys

have one of The Allergy Store’s certified Asthma/Allergy Friendly plush toy, washing is not a problem. Floppy puppy and Buddy Bear look the same, wash after wash after wash. The problem of dust mites in stuffed toys is solved when you purchase these types of plush toys.

Another thing we did was spray the Allersearch ADMS Anti-Allergen spray on the toys she played with every month or so. The ADMS spray is safe for the kids and pets. It will neutralize the allergens on the surface of the plush toy.

While you will never get rid of all the dust mites and their allergens

you can reduce amount you and your family are exposed to.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause
AllergyStore.com – Serving Customers Since 1989
800 771-ACHOO

June 9, 2010October 24, 2022

Allergies … Why Me?

A customer called up and told me she has never been allergic to anything in her life and now all of a sudden she is allergic to dust mites. Why?

First of all, she really should be asking her doctor that question.

Years ago when I was 14 or 15 I got really sick after eating some watermelon. My face puffed up so much that I had a hard time seeing and breathing was not easy. Mom took me to the doctor and he said I was allergic to melons.

Of course, Mom told him no way because I had been eating them all my life and never had a problem. He went on to tell us sometimes allergic reactions just happen for no reason. I did not believe him, thought it was just a bad watermelon, so I ate some more. Same reaction….

Our bodies and immune system changes as we age. Being exposed to certain things, mold, for example, can cause our immune system to react differently. In “Flourishing with Food Allergies ” they discuss something called toxic load theory where your body gets overloaded with too much of a certain thing or a combination of several things at one time.

Oh, and let’s not forget stress. Stress affects sleep, and loss of sleep affects the immune system.

Sometimes bad things just happen to good people. By the way, I still try a little piece of watermelon once a year to see if the allergy has gone away. Not yet but I am still hoping.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause

AllergyStore.com – Serving Customers Since 1989
800 771-ACHOO