“The most common treatment options for pet allergies include: prescription antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, or leukotriene modifiers. In some instances, over-the-counter medications can be enough to manage light symptoms. The best option for treating severe pet allergies remains immunotherapy,” according to Dr. Zevy Landman, allergy and immunology specialist at Florida Center For Allergy & Asthma Care.

Immunotherapy treatment is a series of allergy shots administered once or twice a week that deliver small doses of the allergen, typically over a three to six month period. The allergen dose is progressively increased over time essentially training your immune system to recognize the allergen as non-threatening, therefore preventing it from overreacting. Your allergy specialist can find the right medication to treat your range and severity of symptoms.