Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Dog allergies can change the wonderful bond shared over the centuries.  Dogs may be man’s best friend but dog allergies are man’s worst enemy.  Dog allergy symptoms can be miserable if they are severe.  Mild symptoms can include watery eyes, itchy skin and even a dry mouth.  The more severe symptoms can include hives, difficulty breathing due to congestions and even asthma attacks.

You may not even know you have dog allergies until after you get a dog and even then the allergic reactions may not start until weeks or even months after you have been living with a dog.  If you know you suffer from allergies in general odds are you may end up being allergic to dogs.  Dog allergies can also run in families so that may be a clue too.  This doesn’t necessarily mean you can never own a dog but you will have to do more homework before you buy one.

Certain dog breeds are better for those allergic to pet dander.  Dander is basically the particles of skin that are shed by pets like dogs and cats.  There are some dogs that shed their skin more slowly than others, they include poodles and schnauzers.  Because of the rise in dog allergies there actually has been a lot of research and cross-breeding to develop dogs that cause less dog allergies.  Those of note to avoid are cocker spaniels and basset hounds that are said to shed their skin faster which leaves more dander all over.

Indoor dogs of course will cause more problems for dog allergy sufferers but if you don’t want an outdoor dog you can try to manage the amount of dander you get exposed to.  You can do this by cleaning your house regularly.  Particularly areas like the bedding in your bedroom, the carpets and even curtains.  An air purifier with a HEPA filter may also help as it removes particles in the air including dander.

Contrary to popular belief you should not wash your dog frequently.  This actually cause more dander as the skin is dried out and then sheds more.  Dog allergy sufferers should be washing their dogs monthly.  Feeding your dog quality dog food can also reduce dander particles because it keeps their coat shiny and healthy.

Depending on the severity of your dog allergies you may be able to manage them with allergy medicines.  Consulting with a doctor to confirm your suspicions and to get advice on whether over the counter medicines will do the trick is highly advised if you want to keep your pet.

If you decide that you have to give away your dog you need to know that you may continue to suffer from your allergies for months.  You need to thoroughly clean and vacuum your house and if you have carpets odds are you need to have them shampooed.  Sadly you will have to get rid of their toys as well.

Being allergic to dogs can by a nuisance but for some it can be more than that.  Whether you get exposed to dogs of your own or through your family and friends getting the help you need can help you manage man’s worst enemy – dog allergies.

As the Christmas holiday nears and I am looking at what gifts to buy my children I found myself thinking about how my choices may affect the allergy level in our house.  I know it is sad but since we all suffer from some form of allergy or another it is something that enters into many of our day to day decisions.

My daughter is 8 and loves animals and has wanted a dog since as long as she could talk.  We definitely can not have a dog because of dog allergies so that got me thinking about the popular realistic toy animals that are out there on the market.

One of the most popular Christmas Toys for 2008 is the Biscuit the Dog Toy otherwise known as Biscuit my Lovin Pup.  My daughter has requested this toy and I am seriously considering it.  She has the least allergies in our house and has over 20 stuffed animals.  If your child has an allergy to dust mites stuffed animals are not a good idea.  Though you can manage them by cleaning the stuffed animals regularly or freezing them as some doctors recommend I would not add this complication to your life.

The Biscuit the Dog Toy is a little on the high side but you can currently save $30 if you buy through Amazon link below.

Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup

I have narrowed this holiday gift idea to between this dog and the cheaper Fisher-Price Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name which is currently offered at a $21savings.

Fisher-Price Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name Tan

Many people seemed to think that dogs are immune from many of our ailments but they are not. Dogs get skin allergies just like some of us do. Dog skin allergies can make your dog’s life miserable. Most dog owners think of their pet as a member of their family so you want to make sure that you help them feel better if you can. They can’t talk so it is up to you to notice their symptoms.

What Are Some of the Symptoms of Dog Skin Allergies?

If your pet is consistently scratching or sneezing whenever they come in from outside, or if you notice a rash on their skin, your pet may have dog skin allergies. Dog skin allergies can cause your pet to break out in rashes. In many cases they can even lose their fur in certain areas of their body. Depending on the severity of the dog skin allergy, you should take your pet into the vet at the first sign of an allergic reaction to determine what is causing your dog’s skin allergy.

The Vet is Your Best Bet

A variety of things can be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. Only a visit to your veterinarian can confirm your suspicions. If this is the case, your vet can test your pet to see what he or she is allergic to and what is causing their dog skin allergic reactions. If it’s something that’s in your yard, such as a certain plant or flower, you should get rid of it immediately. Similarly, if it’s something in your house that is causing your dog’s skin allergy, you should remove that, as well. Your vet may also be able to prescribe some kind of medication, either topical or ingested, that can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they are experiencing.

Dog is man’s best friend and, for that reason, you want to make sure your pet is in top physical condition. If they are constantly suffering and you make no effort to find out why, you aren’t showing your pet the love they deserve. Make an appointment with the vet to see what is causing this discomfort. If your vet determines that your dog has dog skin allergies, ask what can be done about it. If something needs to be removed from your house or yard, then remove it, your pet is well worth it.

Your Dog Can Have a Normal Life

Dog skin allergies can affect the quality of your dog’s life. It is up to you to pay attention to them and examine them when they are showing symptoms of dog skin allergies. Your veterinarian will give you the strategies and treatment options to help you manage the dog skin allergies. It is up to you to make sure you do everything to make sure the canine member of the family is feeling as well as he can.

Is man’s best friend becoming your worst enemy? People who suffer from dog allergies can feel pretty conflicted. On one hand they love their canine friend but on the other they suffer with a variety of symptoms that can make their lives miserable. If you aren’t sure whether you are allergic to dogs or want to figure out strategies for managing your symptoms so that you can keep your Lassie, then this article is for you.

Pets are pretty common in American households 6 out of 10 homes have one. Unfortunately the numbers also show that 1 out of every 10 people suffers from some sort of animal allergy. When it comes to pets cats tend to be the worst culprit in causing allergies but dogs are right behind them. Since dog allergies are a common problem, the good news is that there is a lot of information available on how to treat and manage an allergic reaction to your pet. If your reaction is not severe, and if you do not have other serious complications such as asthma, you should be able to successfully manage your allergic condition so that you can experience many symptom-free days.

How to Identify Your Dog Allergy

The most recommended strategy for identifying dog allergies is to remove the person you suspect is allergic from the environment. This can be done for a week or two to see whether the person experiences any of the symptoms they were complaining about. You might think it would be easier to remove the dog but pet dander can remain in the environment that the animal lives in for up to six months after the pet is removed. If moving the person away for a couple of weeks is too difficult, you can also ask your doctor to perform an allergy test in his office to see if the person indeed has a dog allergy.

What Treatment Options Do You Have?

Dog allergies are usually associated with dander or saliva of the animal. These allergens tend to cling to many surfaces. They also can hang around for a long time. This quality makes it difficult to completely rid a home of the allergens responsible for dog allergies, even if the animal is removed. It generally will take up to six months for the home to become free of allergens once the pet is removed.

The drastic treatment is to give the dog to another good home. This can be a big problem because family members are usually attached to the dog and consider him a part of the family. This option can be the last resort unless you have someone that just can not live with their symptoms. An example of this would be someone with asthma.

If the symptoms are mild there are other options. First, keep your pet out of the bedroom. This is an area where you spend a significant amount of your time, particularly sleeping. Get rid of old carpet that can harbor the allergens. Go for bare floors, in our house we always start out with hardwood floors and use throw rugs that can be washed in hot water. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can also be an effective way to keep allergens at bay in certain areas of your house, Oreck has a great line of air purifiers that can help.

Dog allergies may be a common problem but you can learn to manage them. If all else fails and you do have to get rid of your beloved pet you might be able to replace them with a dog breed that is known to cause less dog allergies.