Dog Allergies And Their Effect On Our Lives

Dog allergies affect millions of people in the United States alone and it has grown into a big problem in a society that loves its' dogs. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America somewhere between 15% and 30% of all allergy sufferers have either a mild or severe allergy to cats or dogs. The typical symptoms of these allergic reactions are itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and skin rashes. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and sometimes severe, requiring medication on a daily basis.

Contrary to what you may think dog hair is not the main cause of the allergy, but instead dander is what triggers it. Dander is the dead skin that flakes off of your dogs' body, collecting in his hair with other allergens like dust mites and pollen. When he starts itching or shaking, the dander will be released into the air around your home. As you come into contact with the allergens your body's immune system will react and fight off what it feels are the enemy. The typical allergic reaction will follow and you will suddenly feel worse, leaving you looking for medicine to ease your symptoms.

I Have Dog Allergies, Do I Have To Get Rid Of My Dog?

For those of us with dog allergies the easiest cure to our symptoms is to avoid dogs. This solution is not feasible for most of us as our dogs are part of our family. There are some allergy medication choices like Benadryl™ or Claritin™ that can help, or you can explore allergy shots as another treatment option. Talk to your doctor about all the available remedies to keep your symptoms from overtaking your life. There are also some things you can do around your home to keep the dander and other allergens under control.

  • Give your dog a bath at least once per week
  • Do not allow him to sleep on your bed
  • Dust and vacuum often with a HEPA vacuum cleaner
  • Remove carpets from your home and use hard flooring
  • Follow precautions to eliminate dust mites from your home
  • Use a HEPA air filtration system in your bedroom
  • Wash any blanket or pet bed that he sleeps on often

These are just a few of the many things you can do to help you deal with your dog allergies without giving up your dog. Keeping your home as clean as possible, as free from dust mites as you can will go a long way towards easing your symptoms. Some medication can help as well, but it is always best to discuss this with your doctor as it may not be a good long term solution. Dogs are a big part of our lives, but sometimes our body has reactions to their dander that we cannot control. By taking some extra precautions you two hopefully can coexist under the same roof.