Allegies and Pet Buildings

Background: I am allergic to dogs and cats and begin to wheeze around them.  I can't breathe well in peoples homes with a few dogs or cats. I'm not even sure what it is about the animal that I am allergic to.  The dander? The hair? something else? Well, anyway, that is not my question.

Problem: I am currently seaching for a new apartment.  The problem is that most of them take dogs and cats, or, one or the other.  "No pet" buildings are few and far between.   So it looks like I may have to move into a building that accepts pets.

The question: What I'm concerned about is moving into a pet building and then being allergic to the animals in the building or perhaps one that WAS in my unit.  My question: Is this possible?  Am I worrying about nothing?  If I clean the floors in my unit will I be fine?  Can peoples pets that are in the building have airborne particles that could get into my unit and make me allegic?  If there was a dog or cat in my unit (hardwood floors) and I clean it, could I still be allergic?

My fear is that I'll move in and be allergic to the animals in the building somehow and then I'll be stuck and miserable.   The big problem is that I can't breathe well.  I worry about not being able to breathe.

I don't know who can help me with these questions, so I'm posting here. I would appreciate an expert opinion and advice.  Thank you!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be best if you could consult an allergy specialist and get an llergy testing done for a confirmed diagnosis.

Then you could also talk to your specialist about your problem and ask him for advice.
The management would depend on the diagnosis.

You might be given oral antihistamine medications, steroid course, desesitization to the specific allergen or started on immunotherapy for the allergen you sensitive to.

But this would only be decided by your allergy specialist.

This is important and do not neglect it.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.