4. Can you cure pet allergies?
While it's relatively easy to control the home environment, given enough time and energy, it's far more difficult to control what you and your children are exposed to in the outside world. Dr. Greenwald notes that people carry allergens from their homes to their workplaces and schools, and that can be enough to trigger a reaction in a sensitive individual. So what's the solution?
5. Does immunotherapy work?
One option that shows promise is immunotherapy. It's a desensitization process where the patient is exposed to doses of the allergen regularly to reduce the severity of, or completely eliminate allergic reactions. It usually takes about three years. "It is effective," Dr. Greenwald says, noting that in one study, "by treating allergies they actually prevented the evolution to asthma in a significant proportion of the kids studied."
6. Should you get tested?
The human immune system is still a mystery. Researchers are still unsure why our immune systems so often develop sensitivities to pollen, pets and common foods like peanuts or soy. But that doesn't mean you should just put up with your allergies, or those of your children. If you suspect that you or any of your family have allergies, Dr. Greenwald recommends visiting an allergist to get tested. Once you find out which allergens are the problem, you can work with the allergist to find solutions -- and end up with better quality of life.
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