One big reason why asthma is a hard to manage, widespread disease is because its manifestations are very individualized. For example, while one asthma sufferer might breeze their way through a high pollen count, another could need emergency treatment. The causes of such attacks are called triggers, and these range from cold air, pollen, exercise, pollution, and, unfortunately for animal lovers, pets.

However, before making the big decision to rid yourself of your beloved companion(s), it is wise to take simple measures to minimize their threat. A good start is to ensure most rooms stay off limits for pets of all kinds, in particular and most crucially your bedroom. Contrary to popular belief that the pet hair is the trigger, it is in fact their dry skin, also known as dander. This very sticky stuff is potentially very dangerous to asthma sufferers, and will stick to virtually anything, including shed hairs.

Ridding yourself of dander is a challenge, particularly if your home is carpeted throughout. However, one useful tactic is to submit your furry friends to a weekly bath to reduce the problem. Ensure the bathing is carried out by non-asthma sufferers, and, preferably, out of doors. Your local vet may be able to recommend specialist shampoos to help limit the problem further. An additional strategy is to keep your dog's coat clipped as short as possible.

A very effective further counter-measure for an asthma sufferer is to consider replacing all your carpets with wood or ceramic flooring. While this seems drastic, remember that most vacuum cleaners can't do a thorough job of cleaning your carpets. And given that the effects of dander can last for a number of months, the advantages of changed flooring are quite apparent.

Another potential problem, if you have a friendly pet, is that the saliva on their tongue contains a protein known to trigger asthma attacks. Discouraging your dog from kissing both you and others is the safest policy in this situation (the need for deterrent training isn't really an issue with cats); also because each time he licks himself, dander transfers to his tongue. Ultimately it boils down to how severe your asthma is and how much constraint you want to place on your pet.

If your situation has become truly impossible, your only real option may seem to be the complete removal of your pet from your home. But before resorting to such extremes, you might like to check out a highly successful alternative asthma treatment using the link below. This will ensure that you get to keep your beloved pet. After all, he's not to blame, is he?