Dog Allergies | Allergy Relief

When You Are Allergic To Your Dog

When you first bring your dog home you are probably very excited about your new family addition. However, after a few days when you notice that you are having allergic reactions to your dog you may realize that you are allergic to your dog. This is much more common than you may think as there are a lot of people that have dog allergies. There is nothing worse then realizing that you are allergic to your pet but there are some things you can do about it.

First, you want to make sure you really do have a dog allergy. Since dogs are constantly going outside they may be bringing in with them what you are really allergic to such as pollen and mold. Keep an eye on them while they are outside and take a wet paper towel and wipe them down when they first come in. If you are still having allergies then you may want to look for other symptoms that happen frequently when your dog is in the house.

Symptoms of a pet allergy are much like with any other allergy. You may feel congested, have watery or itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, skin rashes or you may have a hard time breathing when your dog is around. Before just getting rid of your dog take a trip to your doctor or allergist to determine if it really is a dog allergy. They are able to do a prick test to determine if the dog is causing your problems.

If it was concluded that you are allergic then your next step is to remove the allergens from the home the best you can. This includes keeping your dog off your bed and out of the bedroom. You will need to find them an allergen free dog bed or just allow them to sleep on the floor. If you have carpets it is best to remove them completely so that there is not a lot of dander on the floor. You should give your dog a bath weekly and brush his coat outside to keep much of the fur and dander out of the house. An air purifier will help keep the air in your house cleaner, as well a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove a lot of the dander and allergens out of the house.

By limiting your exposure you may notice a lessening in the allergies. However, if you have tried everything and are still having moderate to severe allergic reactions then it may be time to consider removing the dog from your home which is the only real way to get rid of your symptoms. Try to find a trusted family or friend to take the dog in so you can still visit every once in a while. It is tough to have to give up a “member of the family” but in some cases it may be the only relief you have from these symptoms.

Allergy Relief Handling a Dog Allergy

Millions love dogs, but some of them have allergies to them. Allergens
are common in dogs that can be dangerous and can be passed easily.
However, there are some ways of how to treat a dog allergy. There are
even hypo-allergenic dogs that are perfect for those with allergies to
dogs.

The allergens that are produced by a dog can impact the immune system of
a person who is allergic to dogs. The allergens will impact the system
before it is able to create the antibodies needed to handle the
allergens. While these allergens are not harmful they can be passed off
as foreign substances that will cause the immune system to create more
antibodies than needed. Symptoms like swelling, itching, congestion,
sneezing, fatigue and watering eyes can take place.

There are some more serious effects that can happen from pet allergies
like this one. These include headaches, shortness of breath and other
respiratory problems. Fatal cases of anaphylaxis can even take place.

The symptoms listed here can take place from around five to thirty
minutes after the immune system contacts the allergens. There are some
cases where the symptoms can be delayed though.

Dander is one of the most common parts of the dog that spread allergens.
These are skin cells that have been shed off. Saliva and urine can be
allergens too. Fur is not an allergen on its own but it does collect
dander when the dog grooms itself.

There are various methods to use for handling this type of allergy.
Using a well ventilated home with electrostatic filters or cleaning the
home often can help. However, the avoidance method is the most effective
thing to use. It’s the only way to guarantee that the allergens do
not go around the house.

For those who are looking to have a dog or two there are some things to
do. Using bathing methods for the dog can help and a mild shampoo for
dogs can help so that the skin does not become overly dry. All toys and
other items that the dog uses should be cleaned too.

Using the right materials in the home is important for pet allergies.
Carpets can easily collect dander and should be avoided in the home. The
dog should also stay off of beddings in the home. Using leather
furniture will also help because the dander will not be collected as
easily here.

The last option involves the dog itself. There are actually breeds of
hypo-allergenic dogs. These are dogs that do not produce as much dander
as other dogs. This is generally from a lack of hair in most parts of
the body, but there are some other factors for hypo-allergenic dogs.
Environmental controls should be used will them though.

Controlling a dog allergy can be helpful. Using cleaning methods and the
right materials for preventing pet allergies like this can help.
Hypo-allergenic dogs are even around for those with allergies.
They’re all options that can be helpful for allergy sufferers.

When You Are Allergic To Your Dog

Allergy Relief Handling a Dog Allergy

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