For people with dander allergies, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid contact with problem types of dander as much as possible. People with dander allergies should particularly avoid having an animal in their house. Dander is small and sticky and can stay airborne for extended periods of time. Dander allergens can adhere to walls, furniture, clothing, carpet, air ducts and numerous other places indoors. As people spend much of their time at home, avoiding exposure to dander allergens in the home is vital for allergic individuals.

The best method for avoiding dander in the home is the removal of pets from the home. Other methods, such as cleaning the home, only remove the allergen partially and temporarily.

Removal of a pet is often effective enough that the patient does not require any additional treatment. However, patients should be aware that it may take six months or longer to completely rid a home of dander after a pet is removed. Thorough cleaning, such as scrubbing the walls and replacing furniture and carpeting, can speed up the process.  

Physicians may recommend removal of a pet because continued exposure could lead to other health problems, such as asthma. It can also worsen the severity of the patient’s reactions. However, most people are unwilling or unable to part with their pets. For people with allergies to dander who decide to keep their pet in the home, the following steps can help reduce their allergen exposure:

• Keep animals out of the bedroom at all times and designate “animal–free” areas of the home, if possible. Keeping an animal outside is often only a temporary solution, because the pet's dander will eventually build up within the house.
  
  
• Run portable air purifiers throughout the home and consider using a HEPA filter.
  
  
• Clean, dust and vacuum regularly, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
  
  
• Frequently change furnace and air filters.
  
  
• Do not permit any animals on furniture.
  
  
• Consider placing plastic covers on upholstered furniture or purchase vinyl or leather furniture.
  
  
• Remove carpeting and rugs in the home and replace them with tile or hardwood flooring.
  
  
• Wash hands after handling animals.
  
  
• Have the animal bathed by a nonallergic individual once or twice a week.
  
  
• Have a nonallergic individual brush the animal daily outdoors.
  
  
• Have the animal's litter box, cage and bedding cleaned by a nonallergic individual.
  
  
• Use a covering for the mouth and nose (e.g., surgical mask) when cleaning inside, or let someone else handle any indoor cleaning.
  
  
• Use allergen-resistant bedding.
  
  
• Wash bedding in hot water.
  
  
• Wash clothing frequently. Certain types of clothing may also be more prone to collecting dander. Research has found, for instance, that wool sweaters collected up to 10 times more dander than other types of clothing.
  
  
• Provide a well–balanced diet for pets. A healthy animal may lose less fur and feathers, thereby reducing levels of indoor dander.
  
  
• Avoid hugging and kissing animals.
  
  
• Avoid visiting the homes of people with pets.

Dander allergies can also be treated with medication. Over-the-counter antihistamines can relieve itchy eyes. Nasal decongestants can reduce congestion. In people with allergic asthma, asthma medications may be required to help prevent asthma attacks.

Allergy immunotherapy is also able to successfully prevent or reduce allergy symptoms in some patients who are allergic to dander. Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, involves a patient receiving regular shots of a low dose of an allergen over a period of months or years. Over time, the patient is able to build up a resistance to the allergen, and can tolerate normal exposure to the allergen without an allergic reaction.