Pet allergies getting in the way of your relationships? Here are 5 things you can do right now

Pet allergies are common and, unfortunately, can make being around cats, dogs, birds and other animals pretty miserable for some unlucky people. While avoiding exposure to pets is one of the best ways to control your allergies, that can get tricky when someone you love has a furry friend.

Luckily, there are a few things you can do to try to control your allergy symptoms and still maintain your relationships with pet lovers. Allergist Dr. Tania Elliott breaks it down.

1. Time your medication right.

Many fast-acting allergy medications still require a little time to kick in. "If you do have an allergy, you want to make sure that you take your medicines 30 minutes to one hour before you're going into a home that has a pet that you're allergic to," Elliott says. "It's a lot easier to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring, as opposed to treating it once you're already having an allergy attack." If your significant other or close family member has a pet that you'll regularly be around, it's a good idea to talk to an allergist to see if they have more specific recommendations on medications or treatments that will be right for you.

2. Prepare the space.

There's no reason to get up close and personal with Fluffy or Fido if you don't need to. If you're visiting someone's house, it's OK to ask if their pet can be put in a different room from you. (If they're not into that idea, ask if you can gather outside to lower your risk of exposure to pet hair, dander and saliva that may exacerbate your allergies.)

3. Make sure there's good ventilation.

"Pet allergens can stay suspended in the air for weeks and even months at a time," Elliott points out. If you're visiting someone's home with a pet and the ventilation isn't great, you could end up breathing in those allergens and have a reaction, even if the pet isn't in the room. So, ask if you can open a window or, again, suggest taking the fun outside. "Now's the time to keep the windows open and make sure that air is flowing," Elliott says.

4. Consider immunotherapy.

If you go to a home regularly that has a pet, or if your family is considering getting a pet despite your allergies, Elliott suggests talking to your doctor about immunotherapy options. This involves getting gradual doses of an allergen (like a specific pet dander) to help build up your immunity to it, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (ACAAI). "This comes in the form of an injection or drops underneath the tongue, and this can actually cure you of your pet allergies," Elliott says. "You need to be on the medicine for one time a week for the first six or so months, and then it's a monthly commitment. But studies have shown that 70% of people can be completely cured of your pet allergy."

5. Run an air filter.

If you're having an extended stay with someone who has a pet you're allergic to, consider bringing an air filter to run in your bedroom at night. Again, pet allergens can stay in the air for months at a time, and you'll be breathing those in while you sleep. Just think about the size of the room where you'll be sleeping, and pack a filter that matches it. "You want to make sure that you have an air filter that's the appropriate size of the room," Elliott says.

If you're thinking of getting a pet for your home and you're allergic, Elliott recommends keeping this in mind: Despite what you may have heard, "There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet."

Overall, it's possible to visit a home with pets when you have an allergy — you just have to be smart about it.