Pet allergies

It’s a common misconception that pet allergies are caused by reactions to the shed fur of the pet. But most people are actually reacting to the allergenic proteins that get stuck to their fur, and are released when they shed hair, from their;
– dander (shed skin)
– saliva (from licking fur)
– urine
– sebum (skin lubricating oil)

So while low shredding dog breeds are deemed “hypo-allergenic”, and do shed less of these allergens, it is still possible for sensitive people to experience reactions to them.

Other airborne triggers also commonly stick to their fur, and can contribute to reactions, such as;
– dust & dust mites
– pollen

Allergy rates are steadily rising, with approximately 30% to 40% of the world’s population now reporting some kind of allergic reaction. The World Health Organisation has regarded it as one of the 3 major diseases of the 21st century.

In the scientific research world it has now been widely accepted that alterations in gut bacterial levels or gut microbiome diversity may be one of the the leading reason for the rise of allergies.

The leading theory for the way our modern lifestyles impact our gut microbiome is the ‘Hygiene Hypothesis’.

It theorises that our immune system needs to be exposed to the ‘good germs’ early on, to educate and shape our immune system from birth, and provide as many beneficial microbes to colonise our gut and help our immune system mature over our early years.

This has been confirmed by studies where it was found that living with a pet during infancy helped prevent the incidence of allergies later in life.

You can read more about the impact of our modern lifestyles on our gut microbiome and rising allergy rates in our blog post and podcast episode “The Link Between your Gut Microbiome and Allergies“.

In our clinics we see lots of children and adults struggling with pet allergy symptoms, who are frustrated by the lack of medical treatment options.

Many reach out to us as they are sick of going through endless packets for anti-histamines and don’t want to have to give away their beloved pet!

With Positive Association Technique (PAT) we’re able to offer a natural pet allergy treatment option, as part of a holistic approach to help reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and flare-ups.

Positive Association Technique (PAT) is a natural allergy treatment performed by qualified Naturopaths to help alleviate the symptoms associated with allergies, sensitivities and intolerances.

We use a form of muscle testing (kinesiology) to assess your reactions to various food, airborne and chemical substances to help pinpoint your individual triggers.

We then use a chiropractic tool, called an Acustim, to gently stimulate acupressure points and nerve bundles down either side of your spine, while you’re holding a sample vial of the substance (e.g. dust mites).

This helps to re-train your body to no longer react negatively to the substance and relieve the associated symptoms.

You can learn more about PAT in our podcast episode – “What is Positive Association Technique (PAT)?”

We work with highly qualified Naturopaths who provide PAT from various clinic locations all over Australia and in Auckland, NZ.

To learn more and see if PAT is right for you, get in touch:

– Call us on 1300 853 023 / 09 479 5997 (NZ) to chat to our friendly staff
– Send us your question
– Get your Free PAT Information E-PACK