If you are a person that suffers from dog allergy, you are probably aware that this is more of an inconvenience than you have initially thought. According to a recent study, 36,5% of homes in the United States have at least one dog. Yes, you heard correctly, almost half of America owns man’s best friend. The National Institute of Health warns that there are high concentrations of dog dander in the air. Because there are so many dogs in human society, there are chances you could find dander even in homes where there aren’t any.
Allergies are a very serious thing, no matter where they come from. Just because most of your friends or even relatives have dogs does not mean you should treat the matter lightly, convinced that you’re immune system will eventually handle it. Staying near allergens can have dire effects on your health and may lead in time to serious complications, like asthma. Even those that don’t suffer from allergies aren’t safe. If you are a sensitive person and expose yourself to allergens daily, there is a chance you could develop an allergy, even if you initially didn’t have one.
Symptoms of dog allergies include coughing, wheezing, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose. Some persons also have a form of skin allergy in reaction to dogs. For example, they might get such a reaction if they get licked. Symptoms include skin breaking out or developing hives on the chest or face. Those with asthma may have even more severe symptoms. There are many places where you can encounter allergens. You can’t really tell how much allergen a dog has, as this isn’t specific to a certain type of breed. It doesn’t matter if the breed is long or short haired. The problem is not the fur, but the dander, which is dead skin that falls of the dog in the form of flakes. Urine and saliva can also contain a considerable quantity of allergens.
So what should you do? First, it would be wise to take an allergy test, and see if you are allergic in the first place. Sometimes, you might not have an aversion of dander, but of pollen and mold that get stuck on the dog’s coat and is brought inside the house. If the test does show that you have developed an allergy to canines, it’s best to start treatment. The doctor might prescribe allergy drugs, such as antihistamines. These help block the effects of chemicals that trigger the allergies. You might also need to take decongestants, to reduce swelling. There are also allergy shots, but they don’t guarantee they will work on you. Still, if they do, they are well worth it. You should also try and minimize your chances of encountering allergens. Avoid contact with dogs as much as you can, and always keep the environment in which you live or work clean.
So, if you have allergies, go talk to your doctor and try to keep them under control.
