It's possible to coexist with pets in spite of your allergies

Just because you have allergies doesn't mean you can't coexist with a cat or dog.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), approximately 10 percent of people in the United States may be allergic to animals, including common household pets like cats and dogs. For people who suffer from asthma, an estimated 20 to 30 percent have experienced pet allergy symptoms. However, as a recent article in The Wall Street Journal notes, these factors aren't enough to deter people from bringing home a family pet.

While some people claim that certain breeds of cats and dogs are less likely to cause negative reactions in individuals who have allergies, most experts say that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal. Fortunately, reports the news outlet, immunotherapy has been shown to eliminate pet dander allergies in up to 80 percent of patients, so there is hope for people who are desperate to eradicate their symptoms without having to get rid of their beloved pets.

Some allergy sufferers even build up a tolerance to the dander after months of prolonged exposure — though this can subside if they go a long period of time without being around the allergen, states the news outlet.

There are also simple actions you can take around the house so that you can coexist with your furry friend. For example, keep your bedroom off-limits to your pets so that the dander doesn't build up and prevent you from sleeping at night. You also may want to consider buying air purifiers for your home, which work by eliminating allergens directly from the air. 

Check out the Air Purifiers Direct 2U website today to find out more about the best air purifiers for allergies.