Those with pet allergies will instantly recognize the telltale signs that an attack is about to come on. Between the sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and hives, pet allergies can really do a number on you. However, scientists are now saying that you don’t even need to have a pet in your home to experience these types of reactions.
That’s because new research is saying that the allergens that cause these reactions are a lot more widespread than we think.
According to the scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), pet allergens can be found inside of just about every home in the U.S., according to U.S. News and World Reports. New research has shown that the particles that cause allergic reactions—like hair, dander, saliva, and urine—are easily spread.
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That’s because these little particles can go airborne, which allows the microscopic pieces to float around freely and settling on clothes, which can then be transferred to secondary locations like public areas, workplaces, and schools.
And these microscopic particles aren’t exactly easy to get rid of, either. U.S. News and World Reports says that they can remain in a home or location where an animal previously stayed for up to 30 weeks after they’ve left, making it almost impossible to fully eliminate allergens, even with a deep cleaning.
While this is bad news for allergy sufferers, it may offer some peace of mind to those who wondered why they’ve been experiencing pet allergy symptoms without having been exposed to a pet. Sometimes, It sounds like most of us are exposed to these allergens frequently regardless of whether we stay away from the cute sources of the irritants or not.
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