How do I make my dogs allergies go away

Types of Dog Allergies and How to Treat Them

Have you heard someone tell you that their dog has allergies? Has your veterinarian suggested that allergies could be a problem for your dog? Do you suspect that your dog has allergies? If so, then youve probably realized that allergies in dogs are not quite as simple as we might wish. For starters, there are several different types of allergies that could be causing your dogs symptoms.

Allergies are a misguided reaction to foreign substances by the bodys immune system, which, of course, people and pets can suffer from. There are quite a few different types of allergies in dogs. Skin allergies, food allergies, and environmental allergens all pose challenges for dogs and their owners, and to make things more complicated, the symptoms of all these different types of allergies can overlap.

Symptoms of Allergies in Dogs

The symptoms of allergies in dogs may vary depending on the cause. A dog that goes into anaphylactic shock, for instance, will have a drop in blood pressure followed by shock, which is very different from a skin condition.

In general, however, the following symptoms could be a sign of an allergic reaction.

• Itchiness
• Hives
• Swelling of the face, ears, lips, eyelids, or earflaps
• Red, inflamed skin
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Sneezing
• Itchy ears
• Chronic ear infections
• Itchy, runny eyes
• Constant licking

Some of these symptoms could also be a sign of another condition. Make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice changes in their behavior to get an accurate diagnosis.

Types of Allergic Reactions in Dogs

Allergic Dermatitis in Dogs

Skin allergies in dogs, known as allergic dermatitis, is the most common type of allergic reaction in dogs. Skin allergies in dogs are mainly caused by one of three things: fleas, food allergies, and atopicor environmentalallergies.Flea allergy dermatitis is an allergic reaction to fleabites, and some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, which can cause their skin to become red, inflamed, or scabbed because their skin will feel extremely itchy. Its the easiest type of allergic dermatitis to treat, since you can apply flea medication for dogs to help heal their skin.

Another cause of skin allergy in dogs is from food allergies and sensitivities. Just like humans can be allergic to certain foods or ingredients, dogs can be allergic, which can cause itchy skin. Dogs with food allergies usually have itchy ears or paws, sometimes along with gastrointestinal symptoms. Dr. Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, says that food allergies are not as common as you might think. True food allergies result in an immune response, which can range in symptoms from hives, facial swelling, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea or a combination of both.

Environmental allergens can also affect the skin and be the cause of allergic dermatitis. Things like dust, pollen, fungus, and mold can cause these reactions, but in most cases, these allergies are seasonal. As with food allergies that affect the skin, the most commonly affected areas are the paws and ears (but also include the wrists, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin, around the eyes, and in between the toes).

All skin allergies pose the risk of secondary infection. As your dog scratches, bites, and licks at his skin, he risks opening up his skin to yeast and bacterial infections that may require treatment.

Urticaria, or Hives, in Dogs

Also known as urticaria, hives on dogs are very itchy but are not life-threatening. Hives appear as a reaction anywhere from 6 to 24 hours after exposure to allergens. This consists of itchy, swelled skin, that usually looks like a red rash. Its easiest to spot hives on dogs that are hairless or have short coats. Dogs with longer hair can get them too, but its more likely that youd be able to fee the hives rather than see them. Your vet will prescribe an antihistamine in order to treat urticaria in dogs.

Edema of Face or Throat

Swelling of the throat or face looks severe, but its actually almost never fatal. This area of swelling, which can also include swelling of the eyelids or ear flaps, is known as angioneurotic edema. Its actually pretty easily treated, and despite how it looks, its a good sign in terms of allergic reactions.

If your dog has edema of any of these areas, the time for a fatal allergic reaction has most likely passed, and they arent in as much danger. Angioneurotic edema occurs anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours after exposure to an allergen, and can also come with hives.A veterinarian will often give dogs with this reaction an antihistamine injection. Untreated, it may take a day or two for the swelling to subside.

Anaphylactic Shock

Perhaps the most alarming of all the types of allergic reactions in dogs is anaphylactic shock. Like people, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock if they have a severe reaction to an allergen. This happens when antibodies produced by the host react negatively to the allergen, dropping your dogs blood pressure rapidly and sending them into shock. This can be fatal if not treated, but luckily, anaphylactic reactions are rare in dogs.

This can be a response to any allergen, most commonly bee or wasp stings, or vaccine reactions. Because of this, your vet will always recommend keeping a close eye on your dog after theyve been given any new vaccine, drug, or food item, as they might be allergic.

If a dog has had a past incident and survived, the owner may carry an epipen, but sometimes the first occurrence can lead to death. Fortunately these reactions are very rare in dogs.

In some rare cases, a severe food allergy reaction resulting in anaphylaxis can occur, similar to severe peanut allergies in humans. The best way to diagnose and treat a food allergy is to work with your veterinarian to manage your dogs symptoms and discover the ingredient causing the reaction.

Diagnosing Allergies in Dogs

Flea allergy dermatitis is typically the easiest allergy to diagnose. It is usually diagnosed by identifying fleas on your dogs body and applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite to see if that solves the issues.

The first thing your veterinarian will do in allergy testing is rule out any other condition that could be causing your dogs symptoms. If your veterinarian feels that an allergy is a likely cause, they may propose allergy testing to try and determine the cause of the allergen that is causing the reaction. However, keep in mind it may not always be possible to determine the cause of an allergy with testing.

If you have ever undergone allergy testing, then you know that diagnosing allergies is often complicated. Its the same for dogs, but its worth it to understand what to stay away from when it comes to your dog.Food allergies are often diagnosed using an elimination diet. A food trial consists of feeding a dog one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks.

Treating Allergies in Dogs

The best way to treat an allergy is avoidance of the cause and allergen, which may not always be possible. They type of treatment depends on the type of allergy your dog has. For example, the best way to treat flea allergy dermatitis is to kill the fleas, whereas the best way to treat a food allergy or food intolerance is a change in diet.

Depending on the cause and severity of your dogs allergic reaction, your veterinarian will prescribe different things. For hives, they might suggest antihistamines, cortisones, medicated shampoos, whereas with food allergies they might suggest fish oil or other Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. For skin allergies, they might prescribe dog-safe anti-inflammatory wipes or shampoo on skin to provide irritation relief.

In addition to any lifestyle changes that might be necessary, your veterinarian may also prescribe an allergy relief medication for your dog that will help control the signs associated with the allergic reaction, such as itching and any secondary skin infections that might have developed as a result of the irritant.

If your dog has a severe allergic reaction, your best course of action is to get them to an emergency veterinary hospital as quickly as possible.

Can You Outgrow Your Allergies?

Most people with allergies first develop them as children or infants. But as they age, some individuals seem to leave their hay fever, pet allergies or even food allergies behind.

Doctors don't know exactly why, but people's allergies actually can disappear over time. And even when they don't disappear, allergies vary significantly.

The severity of allergic reactions differs widely among people, and even within the same individual, allergic reactions can change in severity from season to season and from allergen to allergen. For example, a neighbor's cat might send you into a sneezing fit, while a different feline could provoke nary a reaction at all.

In general, doctors do know what causes allergies: Your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance. When functioning correctly, your body's defenses attack foreign invaders, like viruses. With allergies, the immune system mistakenly targets pollen, pet dander or certain foods, for example, sending molecules called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to orchestrate a "defense."

In cases of disappearing allergies, some experts theorize that the person may simply grow accustomed to the allergen, thus reducing the level of immune-system sensitivity.

"Growing accustomed" seems important in allergies to food, particularly nuts. Some doctors have recently emphasized promoting tolerance to the food through low-level exposure that's gradually increased.

Physicians used to think that nut allergies, particularly the severe variety associated with peanuts, always lasted a lifetime. Over the last decade, however, studies have shown that about 20 percent of children with peanut allergies can overcome the sensitivity.

By looking at allergy blood tests, which show IgE levels, doctors can even characterize a child's chances of outgrowing food allergies.

But even when food reactions seem like they've gone away, the trouble's not necessarily banished; symptoms of food allergies can return just as mysteriously as they disappeared. Allergies to pollen, pet dander and other substances can recur, too.

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9 Ways To Get Rid of Dog Allergies (Simple Steps)

Owning a pet comes with plenty of perks from companionship to stress relief, unconditional love, and many other bonuses.

In most cases pet owners consider their pets as part of their family.

But what do you do when one of your family members is always making you sick?

We`re referring to the allergy-causing pet dander which can cause unpleasant and uncomfortable health complications like sinus pain, itchy eyes, a runny nose, or even skin reactions.

While you may not exactly become immune to dander, well discuss some simple ways you can get rid of dog allergy symptoms.

_{Our website is reader-supported through affiliate programs. If you purchase via links on our site we may earn a small commission.}

_{Please note that this advice is for informational purposes, and is NOT professional medical advice. If you suffer strong or severe allergy symptoms, we strongly encourage you to see a qualified medical specialist about your condition.}

Tips For Eliminating Dog Allergy Symptoms

1. Clean More Often

Yes, I know cleaning is no fun, but pet dander, the most common type of dog-produced allergen, sticks to anything it lands on.

It takes some effort to reduce allergy-causing pet dander in your house, however simply cleaning household surfaces is sufficient to remove pet dander, and a quick clean every few days helps enormously.

You should also pay special attention to carpet, especially since foot traffic causes dander particles to continuously be thrown back into the air you breathe.

Did you know that dried dog saliva and urine also cause allergy symptoms?

If your dog likes to sleep in one spot on the carpet, then its likely there will be dried saliva there, and these particles can become airborne.

The best way to clean your carpet is to use a vacuum cleaner withHEPA filters, and for solid surfaces, a simple wipe with a damp cloth is sufficient to remove the dog dander.

2. Groom Your Pet Regularly

Let`s face it, most dog owners do not bathe their dogs as required, usually due to a lack of time, or not enjoying the chore of grooming.

Either way failing to bathe your dog will contribute to the build-up of allergens in your dogs coat.

Regular brushing can also be great to loosen and remove dead skin cells, but if you already have allergy symptoms then breathing the loosened particles can give you a nasty reaction so wear a mask while you brush.

According to the Humane Society, bathing your dog at least once a week is sufficient to reduce the number of allergens in your dog by 84%.

Though a simple dip and scrubbing with plain water can do, it`s recommended that you bathe your dog using the a good dander shampoo.

Shampoo is not only essential for removing dander, but some have ingredients to improve your dogs skin, which in turn lowers the amount of dander produced.

Read our article about anti-itch shampoos for dogs to find out more.

3. Use Dander Removal Spray

For whatever reasons, you might find that bathing your dog is a grueling task.

If that`s so, using a dander spray remover is your next best option, they are extremely easy to use, and are recommended by vets and allergists.

Dander spray contains natural enzymes, which are responsible for fighting pet dander as well as reducing the pet odors.

The spray is handy, especially for pet owners who are expecting visitors who are allergic to dogs, and studies have found vastly reduced dander loads in homes where the spray is used weekly.

Most sprays come with a set of grooming gloves, so you just spray your dogs coat and brush them over with the gloves once a week easy!

See some dander removal sprays at Amazon

4. Install A HEPA Air Purifier

Your ability to clean your household items can only go so far. You`re surely going to miss some places, and there are times when you cant get around to cleaning life gets busy.

Installing HEPA filters in your HVAC system, or free-standing air purifiers is a great solution to filtering microscopic pet dander from the air you breathe in your home.

Air purifiers with HEPA filters work by drawing in small airborne particles and trapping them in the extremely fine filter, with pure clean air returned to the room.

What many users love about HEPA filters is that besides removing dander, they also remove other allergy-causing particles such as mold, lint, and dust.

Most importantly, the air filters can provide a constant flow of fresh and quality air into your household.

See our recommendations for effective HEPA furnace filters

5. Designate Pet Free Spaces In Your Home

Yes, as much as we often like to have our favorite friends sitting on our bed wagging their tails, if youre an allergy sufferer then this brings the problem to the worst possible place.

Anywhere you spend large amounts of time will expose you to more allergens, so its worth thinking about where you do and dont want your dog to be.

One other obvious place is your lounge suite, as you will likely sit there regularly binge-watching some bizarre new Netflix series!

Once you make a final decision, then you can either close doors to those rooms, or train your dog to know where they are allowed to go in your house.

6. Cover Your Furniture With Washable Hypoallergenic Covers

Allowing your dog to roam freely in every corner of your household, including the bedroom is not a good idea.

Once they are on your bed, your pooch is likely to leave traces of dander, which is highly likely to cause an allergic reaction while you sleep there for 8 hours night after night.

However much you try to restrict your dog from sleeping on your bed or lounge suite, sometimes they may sneak where they shouldnt be especially the cheeky ones!

Removable and washable covers are one way you can help combat this problem, as they will protect the surfaces underneath from getting loaded with allergens, and can be cleaned regularly.

Get hypoallergenic bedding covers at Amazon

7. Use A Dust Mite Spray

Aside from having allergic reactions to pet allergens, quite often people have reactions to the microscopic creatures that feed on those allergens such as dust mites.

Reducing dander around your home will help reduce dust mite numbers, since they will have less food, however you can reduce the occurrence of dust mites further with special sprays.

Get mite and allergy control sprays at Amazon

8. Allergy Immunotherapy

Also referred to as allergy shots,allergy immunotherapyis a treatment option that lessens your reaction to the allergens you get treated for.

Similar to a vaccine jab, allergy shots work by decreasing your sensitivity to dog allergens, helping to greatly reduce your symptoms.

Allergy shots work by exposing the human body to mild amounts of allergy-causing contaminants, and helps the body to build up an immunity or tolerance to the allergens.

To get these you will need to speak to your doctor for advice.

9. Get Rid Of Your Dog

Before you begin demonizing me, this is the first thing an allergist will recommend, but obviously for any true dog lover this is the absolute last resort.

While giving your dog away is completely unthinkable, to some the daily misery of strong allergy symptoms is too much to handle.

Though the idea is heartbreaking, it does not mean you can never see your dog again.

You could take them to a farm, give them to a family member, or friend who you trust to look after and love your dog as much as you do.

Sources

https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/allergy-shots-(immunotherapy)