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Bird allergy is a reaction of the immune system to feather dust or  dander, fecal matter and droppings coming out of birds. The most common patients who develop bird allergy are the people who take care or work closely with birds. Bird allergy is to be regarded as an allergic reaction that will indicate the immune system’s struggle and efforts to defend the person from things that are sensed and perceived as being a genuine health threat. But bird allergy is not to be considered as a deadly or dangerous disease. However, complications to this allergy may kill. The feather dust can become an allergen and once it makes contact with the person’s body, it can cause his immune system to produce counter substances or antibodies. The main symptoms of a bid allergy include symptoms that are quite similar to those encountered in the case of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. These symptoms are divided into 2 main categories the ones that are less severe such as postnatal drips, sneezing, watery eyes, stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, hives, itchy eyes and black circles right in the face area below the eyes and the ones that are more severe and that can reduce the lungs’ full capacity and become a detriment to the person’s health and even life. Such severe symptoms are usually caused by constant or regular exposure to the allergens that cause the bird allergy – we are talking about exposures that last longer than 2 years. They include weight loss, prolonged coughing, occasional chills and fever, breathing difficulties and dry cough – all these symptoms last for some time. The basic and minor symptoms related to a bird allergy need no serious or further medical treatment because they can actually disappear on their own without having to take any treatment or drug. For instance, discontinuing or avoiding exposure to allergens will help cease the allergy attack. However, in the more severe cases of bird allergy, decongestants, antihistamines and corticosteroids are prescribed in order to relieve the allergy attack. The best way to avoid any allergy attacks is to avoid getting near birds. Here are the best 3 ways to have your bird allergy kept under strict control. First, you ill have to clean the cage on a daily basis in order to remove any dust, dander, feathers and feces that can contain allergens. Regular cleaning is likely to limit the number of allergens or contaminants that can otherwise be sent airborne. Also, you must use a mask when you are cleaning the cage. The floor around the cage must be cleaned as well – vacuuming will create less dust and remove the harmful particles. Using a HEPA air purifier is the third way to keep your bird allergy under control as such an appliance is designed to have all the allergens removed. This way, you will not be inhaling unseen allergens that can accumulate on the floor and in the cage thus triggering your bird allergy. Photo: Flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2181766735/sizes/m/in/photostream/
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