The best way to prevent allergic reactions in children with animal allergies is to ensure that they are not exposed to the problem animal or its allergens. In the case of a pet, this can be emotionally devastating. However, keeping a pet can mean an increased risk that the child’s allergy will get worse, or that other health conditions, such as asthma, will develop.

Parents who decide to get rid of a pet should keep the following in mind:

• Be honest with children. Explain the situation without casting blame, or pretending the animal will be happier elsewhere. Be sensitive, supportive and truthful.
  
  
• Let children express their feelings. Do not reprimand children for having angry or hurtful feelings. Allow them to express how they feel and to grieve, but do not allow them to scapegoat other siblings.
  
  
• Include the entire family in the process. Discuss happy memories of the pet, and work together to find a new home for the animal. If children disapprove of the choice of a new home, allow them to express why they feel that way.

Avoiding exposure to the allergen will not cure the problem overnight. Even after extensive cleaning, it can take six months or longer for a home to be largely free of dander. Allergens in carpet and furniture can remain a problem for four to six weeks after they have been shed. These same allergens can remain in the air for months.

Of course, some families will find it difficult, if not impossible, to part with a pet. In such situations, there are steps families can take to reduce a child’s exposure to pet allergens. However, families should understand that eliminating all health risks is impossible as long as the pet remains in the home, and animals must be removed when the allergies are significant or the allergies lead to asthma.

Steps that can be taken to minimize exposure to allergens include:

• Brush dogs and cats frequently. This should minimize the amount of dander coating their fur. It is best if this can be done outside by a nonallergic member of the household.
  
  There is some debate over washing pets. Many experts say washing pets on a weekly basis can dramatically reduce the amount of dander on a pet. Others contend this merely dries out the pet’s skin and actually creates more dander. It is probably best to make sure a pet is clean without overdoing it.
  
  
• Use air cleaners or filters and keep the house ventilated. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on air ducts and HEPA vacuum bags can keep more dander from becoming airborne.
  
  
• Eliminate a child’s exposure to as many allergens as possible. Some children find that eliminating the source of one allergen raises them above their allergic threshold, leaving them symptom-free even in the face of remaining allergens.
  
  
• Make the child’s bedroom off-limits to pets. Use special allergen-resistant bedding to keep any stray allergens from settling in the child’s bed.
  
  
• Do not let the house become a dander magnet. Carpets, fabric furniture and cloth drapes are favorite hiding places for dander. Replace them with less hospitable alternatives, such as hardwood or linoleum floors, vinyl or leather furniture and plastic blinds. Although these alternatives are better choices, their surfaces must still be cleaned regularly to control dander levels.
  
  If replacing the carpet is not an option, steam clean it frequently. Rugs should also be cleaned regularly (in the washing machine if possible).
  
  
• Teach children not to pet, hug or kiss animals. This will help the child avoid contact with the allergens on animals. If children continue to pet and play with animals despite instructions not to, make sure they wash their hands when finished.
  
  
• Wash the child’s clothes frequently. Pet dander sticks easily to clothes, especially wool.  
  
  
• When visiting a friend or relative who has a pet, children who are allergic to animals need to be particularly careful. These visits may require the allergic person to take preventative medicine before a trip or to make arrangements to sleep in a hotel. If the friend or relative is willing, removing the animal from the house at least one day before the visit and thoroughly cleaning the home can also help.
  
  
• Have a nonallergic member of the family clean the litter box. The litter box should also be stored in an area of the house not frequently visited by the child.

Avoidance is the best treatment of animal allergies for children. However, parents who decide to keep a pet while taking measures to reduce a child’s allergen exposure may still find themselves with a child suffering symptoms. In such circumstances, the child should be immediately taken out of the environment before symptoms worsen.

A physician may also recommend certain allergy medications as a way to treat symptoms. These may include steroid nasal sprays, antihistamines and decongestants.  While some children's allergy medications are available over-the-counter, parents should never give any medicine to a child without first consulting a physician.

While doses will be different, the choices and potential side effects of allergy medications are similar for children and adults.

Finally, if medications fail, a doctor may suggest allergy shots (immunotherapy) as a last effort to tame symptoms. Allergy shots involve regular injections of a small dose of an animal allergen over a period of months. The goal is to gradually increase the child’s tolerance to a particular allergen. The success of this treatment varies and allergy shots are typically used only when a child is not receptive to other forms of treatment.