Dog Allergies

Dog allergies is a very common type of allergy by both pet owners and non-pet owners. If you suffer from allergies to your dog, you are not alone. Millions of people are allergic to their beloved pet. Some people develop allergies years after having their pet in the home. Others, know they are allergic and seek out a pet that produces "few" allergens. Which ever category you might fall in, there is hope. There are ways of coping. It just takes a little effort on your part.

There is something to be said about having a pet in your home. When it comes to dogs, it is my opinion that they are unmatched by the companionship that they give and the unconditional love that they provide.

I can get in my car, leave for 10 minutes, and my dog will greet me at the door as if I have been gone for a week! On the other hand, my dog always wants to go for a ride with me. In fact, it seems like she waits to see if I will let her drive.

Dog allergies are a very manageable type of allergy to have.

What is Dog Allergy?

The function of the immune system is to protect the body from foreign substances that are harmful. The body has a remarkable system for distinguishing self-molecules from non-self particles. Furthermore, the body has a remarkable system for determining what non-self substances are harmful and which ones are harmless. Having dog allergies is when the immune system determines that a harmless substance (dog dander) is harmful.

The immune system produces antibodies to fight off and to protect itself from the "foreign invaders". Different types of antibodies are made to fight off different non-self substances. This allows the immune system to more easily detect and identify the foreign substances upon entrance into our bodies.

Once the antibodies are produced, they wait to detect another exposure to the allergen. They signal the body to launch an attack. This attack comes in the form of mast cells bursting open and releasing inflammatory chemicals. Histamine is the most well known of the many chemicals that are released. Mast cells are found in abundance around the ports of entry into the body such as the eyes and the nose. It is these chemicals that are released from the mast cells that produce the symptoms of dog allergies.

The symptoms described below are designed to prevent foreign substance from entering into the body and to expel from the body what has already entered.

The Symptoms

Dog allergies are known as perennial allergic rhinitis because the symptoms occur year-round. There is not a season for your dog allergy. If you’re exposed to the dog allergen, symptoms will occur. The symptoms don’t always have to occur immediately. There can be a delay before symptoms manifest themselves.

The severity of the symptoms can differ from person to person. Whether the symptoms appear as mild or severe will depend on how allergic you are. At the same time, the severity of the symptoms also depends on the type of breed that you are in contact with. Some breeds do produce less allergens and less potency of the allergen. This is a significant point. Some breeds do shed more hair and produce more dander than other breeds. The shed hair (a lot or a little) is the carrier of multiple allergens.

Dog hair is also known to harbor different kinds of allergens that the hair collects. This is especially so if the pet has the run of the outside. Studies have shown that pets can bring in other allergens such as pollen. There is a relationship between the length of hair and the amount of hair and the quantity of allergens that it can collect and hold onto. All these variables together contribute to the allergen load for the allergy sufferer.

Common symptoms for dog allergies (but not limited to) are

• runny and itchy nose
• sneezing
• itchy, watery, and red eyes
• eye allergies
• nasal congestion
• post nasal drip
• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• itchy and irritating skin

The Allergen

Dogs produce multiple proteins that are known to produce dog allergies. These proteins (allergens) can be found:

• in the dog's saliva
• in the urine
• in the dander
• deposited on the hair by licking themselves
• on the skin

Dander is part of the process of the skin renewing itself. It is the old skin that has been replaced with new skin. Several allergens are attached to the dander from the skin. More allergens are deposited onto the dander and onto the hair as the dogs lick themselves.

Puppies tend to produce less dander because their skin is in great shape. Older dogs, on the other hand, tend to produce more dander because their skin is dryer.

The size of the dog allergens are extremely small compared to other airborne allergens. They can be as small as 2-5 microns in size.

The particle size of an airborne allergen is significant. The smaller the particle size, the longer it can stay airborne. Small minor air currents in the home can keep this size of an allergen airborne for hours.

The allergens for both cats and dogs are very sticky. They cling to everything, including vertical surfaces such as walls. They also stick to clothing and hitch a ride to places that the pet has never been to before.

With the sticky allergen being transported to schools and to the workplace via people's clothes, purses and bags, it makes it difficult to determine if the symptoms are from a cold and flu or allergies. The symptoms are very similar. Dog allergies may not be suspected because no dogs have been in the workplace or the school. Yet the dog allergens may be carried to these places because of how small and how sticky the allergen is. It can be transported around inside your own home too.

Getting tested for allergies to know what you are allergic to is very important.

Being Tested for Allergies

It is very easy to be tested for dog allergies if you suspect that you might be allergic to dogs. Your allergist can perform a skin test. For a positive result, a minor allergic reaction will appear at the test site on the skin. For those who have a skin condition or eczema, a blood test can be performed.

Rather than looking for an allergic reaction on the skin, the blood test will look for IgE antibodies. The allergic person will have more IgE antibodies than someone who does not have allergies. IgE antibodies are also very specific. The immune system produces one type of antibody for dog protein and another kind of antibody for cat protein or pollen.

Testing is very important before blaming the dog for your dog allergy symptoms.

Hypoallergenic Dogs

There are no breeds of dogs that do not produce allergens. Thus, there are no non-allergenic dogs. On the other hand, there are breeds that produce less allergens and put out less allergens into the home environment. These are called hypoallergenic dogs. Just make sure that you understand that hypoallergenic means less-allergens. It does not mean no-allergens.

If you feel like a hypoallergenic dog is right for you, a lot of research will be required to find out which breed is best for you. There are many variables to consider. Don’t rush to the conclusion that a specific breed is best for an allergy sufferer to keep. A few of the variables to consider are;

• You, the allergy sufferer: We all have our own unique degree of sensitivity. Do we have a mild case of dog allergies or do we have a severe case? What type of allergen is causing the problem? Is it found in the dander, the saliva, or both? And remember, the type of dog that may be tolerated by one allergy sufferer may not be tolerated by another.
• The size of the dog: The thinking here is that a small Chihuahua will produce less allergens and deposit less allergens onto the hair from its small tongue as opposed to a large German Shepard. Less allergens in the environment lets us manage our cumulative allergen load better before reaching our threshold. Smaller dogs are thought to be easier to keep clean than larger ones.
• Shedding: Some dogs naturally shed less than others.
• Hair type: Some breeds with "human-like" hair tend to shed less. Their hair density is less than other breeds giving the hair less surface space to hold on to the allergens.
• Dander: Some dogs naturally produce less dander than others. Be careful about making a judgment about puppies. They naturally produce less dander than their older counterparts.
• Grooming: Some breeds, such as poodles, tend to get groomed more often than others.
• The allergen: There are allergen differences depending on where the allergen is being produced by the dog and the concentration of the allergens can vary even within breeds.

Just remember that all dogs produce allergens and all dogs give off dander. What breeds can be tolerated is unique to each individual with dog allergies. Don't assume that one type of dog is acceptable for allergy sufferers just because a particular dog allergy sufferer can tolerate that specific breed of dog. Having said that, my daughter (who is highly allergic) did her research and found that a Maltese was a good fit for her. She has no allergy symptoms from her dog and they are both doing fine together.

Avoidance

For those who have dog allergies, there are many pet allergy avoidance strategies and products on the market to help co-exist with the pet. Some minor and simple lifestyle changes can make a positive impact on reduced dog allergy symptoms.

An overview of the avoidance strategy involves:

• Practice good hygiene.
• Develop and implement good cleaning practices. This is essential for pet allergies.
• Maintain good indoor air quality since dog allergies involve airborne allergens.
• Practice good hygiene for the pet and keep them healthy.
• Use common sense.

If you are committed to keeping your pet, find an allergist that will work with you and respect your decision. People have a responsibility to their pet and the pet should not be regarded as disposable.

Below is a starting point of things to be tried for those who have dog allergies. Determine which ones make sense for your unique situation. A lot of these suggestions can be adapted for those who have cat allergies also.

• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. The dog allergens stay in the air for a long time and an air purifier has more time to capture them.
• Ideally, an air purifier should be in the bedroom to keep a room for relief for the allergy sufferer. A second air purifier can be used in the living room.
• Keep the air filters on your central air system changed according to the manufacture instructions.
• Open the windows and let in fresh air as much as possible. Not only does this let out allergens from the home, it also dilutes the concentration of the allergens that remains.
• Wipe down vertical surfaces such as walls with a damp rag.
• Vacuum twice a week. Make sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Regular vacuum filters will not hold on to the allergens that they catch. The exhaust will send them back into the air.
• Dust using a damp cloth. Never use a feather duster. Run your air purifier during and after cleaning.
• Clean the bedding and area where the dog sleeps.
• With the dog allergen being so sticky, make sure to wash curtains and drapes at least once a month. Don't forget to clean the mini blinds.
• Don't use cleaners that have harsh chemicals. Use products that are environmentally friendly.
• Remove as much carpet as you can and replace with bare flooring (tiles or vinyl or wood) that is easy to clean.
• Keep the dog bed in a room that has no carpet for easier cleaning.
• Keep furniture throws on the furniture that can be taken off and easily washed.
• Remember that people with pets will bring dander into your home on their clothing.
• Train your pet to not get on the furniture. If they are allowed on the furniture, the person with dog allergies should have their own favorite chair that the pet is never allowed to be on.
• Steam clean furniture and the carpet on a regular basis. Don't let the allergens accumulate.
• Brush your dog outside and brush often.
• Give your pet a bath at least once a month.
• Talk to your vet about products to use that won't dry out the dog's skin.
• Some people report that using some doggie clothing helps to reduce the release of dander all over the home. The clothing can be taken off and washed for better control.
• If the person with dog allergies is doing the grooming, a face mask should be worn. Immediately change your clothes and wash your hands afterwards.
• Wipe down the dog with pet wipes when the pet is coming in from the outside and has been outside for a while. Their coat hair can also bring in other types of allergens such as pollen and mold spores.
• Avoid contact with the dog as much as possible. If you do touch the dog, make sure you wash your hands afterwards.
• Brushing the pet or wiping down the dog with a damp cloth between baths can help reduce the allergens put out into the environment.
• Keep the dog out of your bedroom. Keep the bedroom door closed.
• Consider replacing your bedding with allergen proof bedding.
• Limit the number of rooms that the dog has access to. Baby gates work great for limiting access of a dog.
• Cover bedroom vents with a filtering material.
• Never allow your dog to get on your bed.
• Do what is necessary to keep your bedroom a dog-free zone.
• Take your medication according to the instructions from your physician.
• Be tested for dog allergies to make sure you know what you are allergic to.
• If you have dog allergies and you are going to keep a dog, talk to your physician about getting a prescription for allergy medication. Develop a strategy together with your allergist.
• Wash or keep clean as many of the dogs toys as possible. As the dog puts their toys into their mouth, they are depositing allergens from the saliva on to the toy.
• Buy only toys for your pet that are washable.
• If you play with the dog, try to change your clothes afterwards. Always wash your hands after touching the dog.
• Talk to your vet about a diet for your dog that will keep the hair and skin in good condition to result in producing less dander.
• Wash your clothes in detergents designed for allergens so the allergens don't get put back into your closet.

To learn more about dog allergies and hypoallergenic dogs, sweet-lucys.com provides good information.

Go to the avoid-nasal-allergies home page.

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