People with allergies and dogs
You may want a dog but are concerned about any allergies you
or someone in your family may have. Perhaps you already have a
dog and have found your allergy is a problem. The good news is
that people with allergies and dogs can live together!
Allergies to dogs are caused by a reaction to certain
proteins found in oils secreted from a dog's skin and in their
saliva - it is not hair itself that causes allergies. When your
dog sheds hair, or its skin flakes off, these proteins are
carried into the immediate environment where they may cause an
allergic reaction.
Don't rely on immunity
Some people report developing an immunity to their dog i.e.
they ' grow out' of the allergy. While this is certainly true
for some, don't depend on it if you're getting a new dog. It is
possible that an allergic reaction will get worse with more
exposure.
Contrary to what you may have heard, there are no truly
"hypoallergenic" dogs. It has been suggested that the hair of
some breeds - such as poodles - helps prevent allergens getting
into the environment, but many people report just as strong a
reaction to these dogs. A small dog may provoke less allergic
reaction than a larger one simply because he has less skin and
hair to shed.
Once you have a dog, fastidiousness is the key to dealing
with allergies. Wash your hands after you handle him, never
touch your face or eyes after you've touched your dog. Wipe
down smooth surfaces in the home regularly and vacuum
frequently. Use air sterilisers and vacuum cleaners with
filters. Frequently wash any bedding that your dog sleeps
on.
Restrict access
You may want to restrict your dog's access to certain areas
of the house and should certainly keep him away from the bed
and bedroom of anyone who is allergic to dogs.
When selecting which rooms to allow your dog access to, bear
in mind that hardwood floors retain less hair and skin scales
and are easier to clean than carpet. If you have only a few
rooms in your house with carpet, try to keep your dog out of
them. Upholstered furniture will also retain a lot of dandruff,
so try to keep your dog off them and out of the rooms that
contain them.
The more you brush your dog, the more helpful it will be in
reducing allergic reactions because it helps prevent loose hair
from getting into the air. At least once a week is good, more
often is better still.
Be particularly careful to groom in the springtime when your
dog will be shedding its winter coat. Whenever possible,
grooming should be carried out by someone who isn't allergic to
dogs and ideally outdoors.
Talk to your doctor about what anti-allergic drugs you can
take to make life easier and other possible ways to manage the
problem.