TWO revolutionary new lotions have been developed by a Welsh company and are claimed to prevent pets transmitting allergies to their owners. More than 14 million people in the United Kingdom are allergic to cats, and an increasing number, including children, have puffy eyes, skin irritations, coughs and breathing difficulties caused by their pets.
Airborne allergens frequently cause asthma sufferers to seek hospital treatment and pet allergies generally cost the National Health Service 480 million pounds sterling annually.
Scientist Mary Lloyd, of Bio-Lise International, has developed and patented the products, patented and marketed as Petal Cleanse that tackle allergy problems at source. Instead of treating pet owners with antihistamine drugs, the two Petal Cleanse lotions - one for dogs and the other for cats, birds and small animals - are applied to the pet where they attack allergens on the animal's coat.
The allergens are reduced by completely wiping cats, dogs and other furry animals all over once a week with the cationic surfactant-based solution. The chemical attracts and neutralises the allergens.
"The lotions for dogs and cats are composed of a delicate balance of cleansers and moisturisers that inhibit allergic reactions in humans,'' said Ms Lloyd. "Essentially, what the lotions do is remove the proteins - canis in dogs and sald in cats and small animals - which are found in the animals' saliva, sweat and urine.''
The lotions also gently remove microscopic allergens that are largely the culprits of allergies from the animal's fur coat. The moisturisers then assist the whole process by conditioning the coats and skin of pets, further reducing the amount of material shed.
"Over 90 per cent of allergy sufferers who were solely allergic to pets reported that the lotions were effective during in-depth trials,'' said Ms Lloyd. "The medication requirement of multiple allergy sufferers was halved substantially and the product is completely safe for humans and animals.''
Petal Cleanse is sold in pet shops throughout the UK and its development has been supported by Xenos, a regional business network that matches innovative businesses with people seeking to invest in new ventures.
