Clear the air!

If your pet makes you sneeze, you're probably also allergic to dust, grasses, pollen, smoke, feathers, air pollutants, perfume or even some foods. The following suggestions will help you reduce the allergens in your environment.

1. Wash your hands after handling any animal. Do not touch your face, especially your eyes and nose, until your hands are clean.

2. Brush your cat daily to remove loose hair before it has a chance to circulate throughout the house. Finish the grooming session by wiping the cat with a damp towel. (If possible, a non-allergic person should do the grooming.)

3. Rinse the cat at least once a week with distilled water or you may want to try "Pal's Quick Cleansing Wipes" (available from: Pal Supplies, Inc., P.O. Box 26211, Wauwatosa, WI 53226). There are also pet sprays on the market that are designed to reduce dander and shedding. "LoShed" and "Allerpet" are two common brands.

4. Invest in at least one good air purifier with a HEPA ("High Efficiency Particulate Air") filter. HEPA purifiers can be installed in home heating and air-conditioning systems or run from a standard electrical outlet. (The National Bureau of Standards states that air filtered by a HEPA unit is free of 99.97% of all contaminating particles.) At the very least put a HEPA purifier in the bedroom and keep the pets OUT! Experts claim that if you can breathe "pure" air for 8 to 10 hours each night, you can probably tolerate more exposure to allergenic substances during the day.

5. Be sure that air entering from windows or heating systems is filtered airconditioning in warmer weather and muslin or cheesecloth on the heat vents during colder periods. Keep unfiltered windows closed.

6. Keep everything as clean and dust free as possible. Dust all surfaces regularly with a damp cloth. Vacuum the floors instead of sweeping and remember to change the vacuum bags frequently. The electrostatic filter bags make the vacuum cleaner more efficient at picking up allergens.

7. Keep in mind that the more washable surfaces in your home, the better. Choose furniture with smooth wooden surfaces and simple lines, walls that can be washed easily, blinds that wipe clean, and floors of polished hardwood, vinyl flooring, or tile.

8. All textiles in the home should be 100% washable and free of chemical finishes. Encase mattresses, box springs, and pillows in allergy-proof covers. Buy special non-allergenic pillows, or those filled with Dacron or polyester.

9. Allergic persons are often supersensitive to odors. Avoid perfumes, colognes and after-shave lotions, make-up containing fragrances, bubble bath, deodorizing aerosols, hair sprays, and cleaning fluids. Some scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners are especially irritating.

10. Be alert to mold growth--usually in damp and humid areas such as basements, bathrooms, and closets. Air conditioners and humidifiers can be beneficial, but must be cleaned regularly as they can collect mold.If you seek help from an allergist, look for one who will be sensitive to your feelings and will try to do everything possible to help you keep your cat.