How do people with allergies live with pets
Can I Have A Dog If I Have Allergies?
|
Sharing your life with a dog is a special experience. After all, theyre adorable, perceptive, and provide unconditional love. In fact, having a dog in the home can provide manybenefits to kidsin particular, such as greater compassion and self-esteem.
But how do dogs affect our health? Recent research has shown thatchildren exposed to dogs may have a lower risk of asthma.Andsurprisingly,dog exposure before the age of one might protect against future allergies.But what if you suspect you already have an allergy to dogs? Perhaps you get a runny nose or watery eyes whenever youre around one. Or what if youve already had a dog allergy diagnosed?
Well, having a dog certainly wont relieve your symptoms. Does that mean you can never have a dog, or could a so-called hypoallergenic dog breed be the answer? Is there evensuch a thing as a hypoallergenic dog? Or could there be other options?
Everybodys allergies are different, ranging from mild to severe. And there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure. Depending on your situation, you might be destined to live dog-less. However, if you take the time to do your research, get proper allergy testing, and work on keeping the allergens at bay, dog ownership could be a possibility. Read on to see if owning a dog, even if you have allergies, might be in your future.
What Causes Allergies to Dogs?
Hypoallergenic dog breeds are often defined as those that either dont shed or are hairless. Breeds in the past thought of as being hypoallergenic are really breeds or types of dogs with minimal shedding or whose type of hair (or lack of hair) may cause less possibility to create a reaction due to the type of coat that breed has, affirms Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC.
But does a dogs coat really determine the risk of an allergic reaction?
For most people with dog allergies, the dogs fur isnt the issue. According to Dr. Klein, its not necessarily the fur, but the dander, that causes allergic reactions in people. Dander is the tiny bits of skin that are shed by the dog, much like people shed dandruff. This dander often ends up combined with other allergens, like the proteins found in the dogs urine, feces, and saliva.
In most breeds, shed fur can carry proteins and dander all over your house. So-called hypoallergenic breeds dont have that problem. But of course, they can still cause an allergic reaction. No breed is truly allergy-safe. In fact, hypoallergenic dogs may produce just as many allergens as their shedding, furry cousins. And all those allergy-triggering proteins can become airborne, particularly when your dog licks themself when grooming. Dander and protein can also be directly transferred to you when you pet your dog or if your dog licks you.
So, despite their label,there is no guarantee a hypoallergenic dog breed wont trigger your allergies.
What Is an Allergy Test?
If there isnt a truly hypoallergenic dog, and you believe you may have allergies, does that mean all hope is lost? Not at all. The first step in determining if you can live with a dog is to undergotesting for allergic sensitization. Although whats causing your allergies might seem obvious, dont self-diagnose, because your symptoms could be unrelated to what you suspect. Plus, up to 80% of people with allergies are allergic to more than one thing. And those allergic triggers can add up. So, if you have an issue with pollen and a pet allergy, reducing exposure to the pollen might be enough to keep your dog allergy symptoms at bay.
Plus, allergy tests have come a long way. While skin prick tests and traditional blood tests both help a clinician diagnose allergies to common causes like pets, new blood tests that examine allergens on the molecular level can provide clinicians with even more information. Using a standard blood draw, allergen component testingcan get extremely specific. It can pinpoint the exact allergenic proteins that may be causing your symptoms. And in terms of dog ownership, that can have a huge impact.
For example, some people are only sensitive to a dog protein called Can f 5, which is only produced by male dogs. Up to 30% of people who only have a Can f 5 sensitivity may be able to tolerate a female dog or a male dog that has been neutered. Armed with this detailed information about your allergies, you will be in a much better position to make a responsible decision about dog ownership.
Are There Dog Breeds Suitable for People Allergic to Dogs?
The real issue to consider is the severity of your allergies. If your symptoms are inconvenient but tolerable, then there is likely a place for a dog in your life. And in that case, Dr. Klein says so-called hypoallergenic dog breeds are likely the safer choice. These are the American Kennel Clubs recommended breeds for allergy sufferers:
There is a wide range of less allergenic dog breeds, from the large, intelligent, and protective Giant Schnauzer to the tiny, calm, and hairless toy Xoloitzcuintli. Dr. Klein points out that because smaller breeds have less of everything, they will also create less dander than larger breeds. Research the available breeds and look for one that fits your lifestyle. For example, do you want a high-energy dog to participate indog sportswith, or would you prefer a quiet lap dog? Its essential to find the right match, so in addition to coat care and dander potential, look at size, personality, activity level, trainability, and more.
Dr. Klein emphasizes that the match should be for the dogs entire life, stating, What no one wants is to relinquish a dog because of factors like a change in income, a change in living arrangements, or the development of an allergy by a member of the family.
Although its a difficult decision, on the rare occasion that you cant find the right match, Dr. Klein advises that it might be wiser to not acquire a dog, rather than bring one home only to relinquish it for rescue.
Tips for Choosing a Dog if You Are Allergic to Dogs
Once youve narrowed your choices, your job still isnt done. Just because a breed matches your lifestyle and is considered hypoallergenic doesnt mean its the right one for you. Since every person is an individual, every allergic response will be different.
Where one person may have an allergic reaction to a Poodle, they may not be allergic to an American Hairless Terrier, cautions Dr. Klein. Only one-on-one contact experience will be the defining factor.
Therefore, its important to physically interact with your chosen breed before you acquire apuppy or an adult dog. Only by petting and being near a given breed can you determine how much you will react, if at all. In addition, you might have to try several different hypoallergenic dog breeds as you search for your match, as one breed may produce less of a reaction than another. Dr. Klein advises first narrowing down your choices, then having the allergic person spend time with a member of each breed on the list. He also suggests doing this at different times to see if there is any significant difference in the allergic response.
There may be one breed that stands out, according to Dr. Klein. Or possibly, none will make a difference.
How Can You Reduce Dog Allergens?
Regardless of the breed you choose, once you bring your dog home, there are steps you can take to lessen the severity of your allergy symptoms. Here are a few:
- First, allergy-proof your household. Pet allergens are tiny and lightweight, so they easily stick to curtains, furniture, carpets, and bedding. Minimize those surfaces in your home. For example, use blinds rather than curtains and have hardwood or linoleum floors rather than carpets.
- Second, keep surfaces clean. Dr. Klein suggests frequent vacuuming of your floors and furniture. Consider using a machine with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Also, launder any fabrics your dog comes in contact with, such as their bed, as often as you can. Keep your dog off the furniture and out of your bedroom. A home air filtration system designed to reduce allergens is also an option.
- Third, consider hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands after touching your dog to keep allergens off your skin. Its also important tokeep your dog groomed. Frequent bathing and grooming may reduce the amount of dander that accumulates. If possible, ask somebody else in the family to do the grooming, so you dont suffer a reaction. And consider having your dog brushed outside to minimize getting additional dander in your home. Alternatively, use the services of aprofessional groomer.
- Finally, there are many medications available to ease allergy symptoms like itchy eyes or a stuffy nose. Consult with your doctor about suitable treatments. It may also be helpful to see an allergist for immunotherapy, which is the use of allergy shots to build tolerance to dogs over time.
Even if you have an allergy, with the use of medical intervention and the above recommendations, a dog could still become a beloved new member of your household.
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Children with animal allergies can live comfortably with pets
Children's Center
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Children with animal allergies can live comfortably with pets
DEAR MAYO CLINIC:Our young daughter has shown signs that she might be allergic to our dog. We have had our dog for eight years, and the dog seems to be fond of our daughter. Do you have any tips for how we can safely keep our dog without sacrificing our child's health?
ANSWER:Pets are an important part of many families. In most cases, you should be able to keep your dog while keeping your daughter safe.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance. Pet allergies often are triggered by exposure to pet urine or saliva. These allergies also can be triggered by dander, the dead flakes of skin that an animal sheds. Dander is a particular problem because it is small and can remain airborne for long periods of time with even the slightest bit of air circulation. Dander collects easily in upholstered furniture and sticks to clothing.
For people with pet allergies, exposure to these allergens can lead to various symptoms. The most common symptoms include sneezing; runny nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; nasal congestion; and postnasal drip. In a child, you may see frequent rubbing of the nose. For those with a history of asthma, symptoms also may include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. In some people, skin symptoms may occur in the form of itchy skin, hives or eczema.
To reduce the effects of a pet allergy, an important first step for your daughter is to encourage hand-washing after petting the dog to minimize allergen exposure to the eyes or nose. Another key component is to keep at least one place in your home dander-free. It may be best to keep the dog out of your daughter's bedroom, since it is likely that she spends at least eight hours of each day there.
In addition to implementing environmental changes, you also can try nonprescription remedies. Several over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids, may relieve allergy symptoms. For example, oral antihistamines ease itching, sneezing and runny nose by reducing the production of histamine, the primary mediator in an allergic reaction. Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce nasal swelling, sneezing and congestion. For more persistent symptoms, prescription medications, such as montelukast, or Singulair, also may help.
I would encourage you to speak to your pediatrician about any specific medications or other efforts that may be valuable, given your personal family situation. If your daughter's symptoms worsen, you will want to visit with an allergist to discuss whether allergy testing and shots are needed.
Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy that involves receiving allergens in small incremental doses. Shots are initially given weekly, and the concentration of allergen is gradually increased to a maintenance dose over three to six months. The maintenance shot is then given monthly for three to five years. Allergy shots reduce symptoms by desensitizing the body's immune system to the allergens to which one is reactive.
A combination of allergy medication and environmental changes often can help control pet allergies, making it unnecessary to remove a family pet from the home. In almost all cases, the physical and emotional benefits pets can offer children far outweigh the issues allergies might cause. Dr. Arveen Bhasin, Allergy and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
****************************
Related Articles
