Dog allergies

Those cute little furry animals called dogs can sometimes be quite the sneezing, scratching, and stuffy nosed problem for many people. It is estimated that the total pet population in the United States is roughly 100 million. If you suffer from dog allergies, avoiding a dog can be a difficult procedure. About six out of ten people in the United States come in contact with dogs on a weekly basis. People with dog allergies may be allergic to only certain breeds of dogs and it causes problems for people who already have asthma or other allergy symptoms.

Like any other allergy, your immune system is responsible for causing dog allergies. Your immune systems job is to find foreign substances like viruses and bacteria and block them from harming our body. Your body reacts to allergens by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE is a protein substance made by your immune system to fight the allergens. The IgE antibodies release inflammatory chemicals that cause the tissues to swell, therefore causing itching, engorgement of blood vessels, tightening of muscles surrounding the airways, and increased secretions. One of the antibodies released is called histamine.

Histamine is the reason your eyes water or itch and why you may be sneezing all the time. The histamine reacts to the allergen by attacking its hosts eyes, nose, throat, lungs, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. Each time you are exposed to the same allergen, your body will react in the same way.

Dogs secrete fluids and shed dander that contains the allergen. The allergens collect on the dog's fur and other surfaces. These allergens can stick to clothing and other surfaces and can survive for several months. A common myth people have about dog allergies: dog hair is not an allergen. Many people think that the actually dog fur is why they are sneezing or why their eyes are itching. This is not true, in fact a dog who was bathed before a person comes over will not produce the same reaction in an allergic individual, unless it is the particular breed they are allergic to. The pet hair can collect dander and harbor other allergens such as dust mites and pollen.

Dog allergens are everywhere. Because pet dander can stick to clothing, the allergen can occupy someone's home even if they do not have a dog. The allergens are airborne and get in the air by petting, grooming, or stirring the air where the allergens have settled. Because pet dander can survive for a long time, it can stay in the air for several hours at a time.

The major dog allergen is called Can f 1. This allergen can be found in dog saliva and secreted through the sebaceous glands in the skin. Another common allergen produced by dogs is found in their blood, it is called dog albumin.

Common Symptoms of Dog Allergies

Many people notice itchy, watery eyes or a stuffy nose when they come in contact with a dog. Most reactions to dog allergies include: inflamed eyes, stuffy nose, and swelling and itching of the nose or eyes. Some people can even have a skin rash as a result of dog saliva touching their skin. Those who are highly allergic to dog saliva may have an intense rash on their face, neck, and upper chest.

Most people develop symptoms within minutes of being in the presence of the dog. Other people may have symptoms appear days after being in contact with the animal. Because pet dander can be airborne, you have a good chance of inhaling the allergen. This can cause severe breathing problems such as: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or asthma. If you are highly allergic to dogs, you will notice these symptoms within 15 to 30 minutes.

If you suspect you are allergic to a dog, you should seek medical advice. Your doctor may perform a blood test on you to determine what allergen you are allergic to. If you do not wish to give up your dog, your doctor may have you remove the animal from your presence for a few days just to be sure that the dog is causing your allergies. This method is not always effective since pet dander allergens can survive for several months and can circulate in the air.

Recent studies have shown that owning a dog can help protect against the development of allergies in young children. The endotoxin released in the animals skin and saliva causes the immune system to react in an accepting manner instead of protective manner. These studies have shown that infants living in a home with dogs are less likely to wheeze as compared to those infants living in homes without dogs.

Treating Dog Allergies

Avoiding contact with the dog is the best method for treating your allergies. Because pet dander is airborne, avoiding contact with the dog may not always work. Keeping the dog outside will reduce your symptoms, but you will still come in contact with the pet dander. There are some allergy medications that can help control your symptoms. This will help if you are going to someone's home that has an indoor dog. Allergy shots are also available for people who are allergic to their own dog.

Parting with your dog is an option, but not always a great choice to make. If you choose to keep your dog, despite your allergy symptoms, here are some tips to help decrease the dog allergens:

• Keep your bedroom door there. You spend approximately 1/3rd of your time in the bedroom; remove the pet from this room to reduce allergens at night.
• Keep your home clean. Remove furniture that the pet has laid on and scrub the walls and floors. Try to have hardwood floors versus carpet since the pet dander can stick to the fabric fibers.
• If you have carpet, steam clean the carpet at least once a month.
• Wear a mask when vacuuming. Since pet dander can be stirred up in the air, your vacuum can cause you to inhale the allergens.
• Purchase a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Bathe the dog at least once a week.
• Wipe the dog with pet wipes daily.
• Cover the air vents in your home with dense filtering material.
• Have the dog neutered.
• Keep the dog outside or in the garage and only allow them in uncarpeted rooms of the house.
• Ad an air cleaner with a HEPA filter to your central air conditioning or central heating unit. The air cleaner should be used daily for at least 4 hours.
• Launder or dry clean all bedding and curtains.
• Brush the dog outside to remove dander.
• Cover your furniture with plastic to avoid pet dander from sticking to the fibers.

Dog Breed Allergies

Some people are more allergic to one particular breed of dogs than to others. It has been shown that some breeds cause less allergies than other breeds. Smaller dogs don't produce as much saliva as bigger dogs and also do not shed as much. If you have a dog allergy, but you would still like to own a dog, here is a listing of low-allergen dog breeds:

• Poodle and Poole Hybrids - poodles tend to shed less hair and dander than larger dogs.
• Schnauzer- These dogs can come in different sizes and are recommended for people with dog allergies.
• Portuguese Water Dog - These dogs are similar to the poodle and are recommended because they do not shed much hair
• Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier- This dog is great for someone with allergies as they have been proven to produce less allergic symptoms in many people.
• Maltese- This is a small dog and it does not shed.
• Lhasa Apso- This is another small dog that does not shed.
• Yorkshire Terrier- Yorkies are known for being hypoallergenic due to their small size.
• Shih Tzu- Many owners frequently bath this small dog, causing it to be known as a hypoallergenic dog as well.
• Irish Water Spaniel - This dog is recommended for its thin coat similar to the poodle
• Kerry Blue Terrier - The American Kennel Club recommends these dogs for people with dog allergies.
• Chinese Crested- These dogs are recommended because they are hairless with only hair on the head, tail, and feet and the powderpuff.
• Bichon Frise- This is a small dog that is similar to the poodle. It does not shed and therefore is good for people who have dog allergies.

Man's best friend shouldn't be your worst enemy. Try some of the above tips before you donate your animal to a friend or shelter. Before you send your dog away, pick up some antihistamines at the grocery store to see if it helps control your allergy symptoms. Perhaps you can even find a breed that doesn't bother your allergies and you can still enjoy the simple comforts a dog can bring into your life!